SENIOR ATTORNEY - 60071390

Requisition No: 877826 | Agency: Children and Families | Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL | Closing Date: 07/15/2026

About the Role

Children’s Legal Services attorneys advocate for the safety, well-being, and permanency of Florida’s abused, abandoned, and neglected children. With a team of more than 300 attorneys, CLS is the leader in the courtroom at each stage of a Chapter 39 proceeding. A CLS attorney has primary responsibility for multiple cases and must ensure Florida and federal legal requirements are met to secure permanent and safe homes for dependent children.

A CLS attorney collaborates with investigators and case managers to gather the evidence necessary to support the legal action that is appropriate for each child and prepares those partners to serve as witnesses at trial. CLS attorneys advocate for children by employing best practice litigation techniques so that our pleadings and trial presentations lead the nation in dependency advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for the safety, well-being, and permanency of Florida’s abused, abandoned, and neglected children in Chapter 39 proceedings.
• Manage multiple cases, ensuring compliance with Florida and federal legal requirements.
• Collaborate with investigators and case managers to gather evidence and prepare witnesses for trial.
• Employ best practice litigation techniques in pleadings and trial presentations.

Qualifications

• Law Degree.
• Minimum of 2 years of bar admission.

Training Provided

• Multi-week onboarding program created by a CLS-dedicated Statewide Training Team.
• Quarterly intensive multi-day New Attorney Training focusing on practical skills and litigation tactics.
• Annual multi-day Advanced Litigation Academy coaching on high-level evidence techniques, expert witness challenges, and advocacy through technology.
• Fulfillment of all CLE requirements through webinars and live trainings on topics including case law updates, statutory changes, courtroom skills, evidence, ethics, and legal writing.

Benefits

• Florida Bar annual dues paid by the Department (contingent upon agency approval).
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.
• No state income tax for Florida residents.
• 176 hours of annual leave and 104 hours of sick leave accrued each anniversary year.
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.
• State Group Insurance coverage options (health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance).
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Tuition waivers.

Pay

For a full-time permanent appointment, the annual base salary is $73,688.42. Total compensation, inclusive of benefits, is valued at a minimum of $103,267. Actual total compensation will vary based on insurance and retirement elections.

Growth Opportunities

There are pathways for promotion for those who want to be leaders in the courtroom or in the office. CLS invites all team members to participate in special projects that create strategies for better outcomes for children.