Salary: $116,325.24 Annually
Location : Main - 205 N. Dixie Hwy West Palm Beach, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Magistrate
Opening Date: 09/09/2026
SUMMARY The essential function of the position is to set cases for hearing, conduct hearings, and make legal substantive and procedural determinations in the area of family law, civil, mental health, and juvenile matters referred by the judge in the respective divisions. The position is responsible for preparing recommended orders or reports and recommendation with accompanying orders for referring judge's signature. The position further supervises Magistrates, the Child Support Hearing Officers, and their assistants. The position further reviews leave requests, ensures compliance with office policy and procedure, attends Director meetings and trainings, and schedules meetings with the Magistrates and Hearing Officers to share information. In addition, the position maintains communication between the Magistrate Division and the Trial Court Administrator, the Chief Judge and the administrative judges for family, mental health and juvenile divisions. The position reports to the Trial Court Administrator.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES - Schedules cases and conducts bench trials and hearings; rules on questions of jurisdiction, standing, discovery, and admission of evidence and applies facts to substantive statutes and rules; prepares recommended orders for referring judge's signature at conclusion of hearing.
- Supervises six (6) Magistrates, two (2) Child Support Hearing Officers, and eight (8) administrative assistants. Participates in the selection, hiring, training, counseling and discipline of Magistrates, the Hearing Officers, as well as their assigned assistants.
- Reviews judges' orders of referral, recommended orders submitted by attorneys; considers and analyzes related legal research and evidence presented at hearing or trial.
- Provides relevant statutory and case law updates to the Magistrates and the Hearing Officers; attends technical and professional classes, workshops, seminars, or conferences to improve professional skills; participates in various CLE panels to educate Magistrates, Hearing Officers, judicial assistants, magistrate assistants and lawyers.
- Drafts, amends, and edits relevant administrative orders and forms utilized by the Circuit.
- Performs administrative tasks such as reviewing monthly case management reports and data for all Magistrate/Hearing Officer assignments; conducts and attends staff meetings to share information.
- Conducts meetings with Court partners such as the Clerk, Department of Revenue, Office of Regional Counsel, Office of the Public Defender, Office of the State Attorney, Baker Act facilities and the managing entity responsible for Marchman Acts.
The omission of specific statements does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIESJuris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school and admittance to the Florida Bar is required; at least five years of experience as a licensed attorney. The ideal candidate will have litigation experience.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES: - Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply Florida statutes, case law and Florida rules of Court.
- Knowledge of the rules of evidence and the ability to take evidence.
- Ability to work with litigants who are in stressful situations.
- Knowledge of civil procedure.
- Ability to conduct legal research.
- Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Ability to mentor and train magistrates and hearing officers.
- Ability to operate a "file less" division is required and advanced technological skills are needed.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONDuring the application process, please upload the following ATTACHMENTS:- Cover Letter
- Brief writing sample, between three and five pages in length
NOTICE:Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applications will continue to be received until the position is filled. Submission of an application does not guarantee the applicant an interview. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check.
PREMIUM BENEFITS PLAN: - Start earning vacation and sick leave your first day of employment!
- Eligible for fourteen (14) PAID court holidays your first day of employment!
- State Group Insurance Health Plan is only $50 (monthly) for individual coverage; and $180 (monthly) for family coverage!
- HMO - United Healthcare
- PPO - Florida Blue
- Retirement plan recognized nationally - Florida Retirement System (FRS)!
- A wide range of additional State benefits, including, but not limited to dental, vision, and disability insurance!
- Tax-free Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account!
- College Tuition Waiver Program!
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Date Admitted to Practice in Florida
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Preferred Mailing Address
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Within the last five years, have you been formally reprimanded, demoted, disciplined, cautioned, placed on probation, suspended or terminated by an employer?
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Are you currently the subject of an investigation which could result in civil, administrative or criminal action against you?
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List all of your professional designations, certifications, and committee participation
06
List all courts (including state bar admissions) and administrative bodies having special admission requirements to which you are currently admitted to practice, giving the dates of admission. Mention Court or Administrative Body Date of Admission
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State the names, dates and addresses for all firms which you have been associated in practice, governmental agencies or private business organizations by which you have been employed periods you have practiced as a sole practitioner, law clerkship and other prior employment.
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Describe the general nature of your current practice including any designated areas of practice:
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What is the percentage of your appearances in courts in the last five years was in:Federal Court _______% State Court _____%State Circuit Court _______% Administrative Bodies_____%Foreclosure Court _______% Criminal Court _____%Magistrate Hearings _____% Juvenile Court _____%Appellate Court _______% Probate Court _______%
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For your last five cases, which were either contested or tried, list the names and telephone numbers of trial counsel on either side.
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During the last five years, what percentage of your practice has been in the area ofProbate_____%Foreclosure_____%Family/Juvenile practice __________%?
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How times per month do you appear at administrative hearings?
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On average, how many times per month do you appear in court?
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How many (number) of the cases you have tried to verdict or judgment were:Jury? ________ Non-jury? _______Arbitration ________ Administrative Bodies? _______
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For the cases you have tried to conclusion in arbitration, before administrative bodies or in courts of record during for the past five years, indicate whether you were sole, associate or chief counsel. Give citations of any reported cases.
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List and describe the five most significant cases which you personally litigated giving case style, number and citation to reported decisions, if any. Identify whether you represented the Plaintiff/Petitioner or Defendant/Respondent.
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Have you ever held judicial office or been a candidate for judicial office? If so, state the court(s) involved and the dates of service or dates of candidacy.
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List any prior quasi-judicial service:Mention dates, name of agency, position held and types of issues heard
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Have you ever held or been a candidate for any public office?
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If so, state the office, location and dates of service or candidacy
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List any prior quasi-judicial service include in your answer dates, name of agency, position held and the types of issues heard.List citations of any opinions which have been published.
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If you had prior judicial or quasi-judicial experience:List citations of any opinions which have been published.
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If you had prior judicial or quasi-judicial experience:Has a complaint about you ever been made to the Florida Bar of any other Bar or professional organization to which you are/were admitted? If so, give date, describe complaint and its resolution.
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If you are now an officer, director or otherwise engaged in the management of any business enterprise, state the name of such enterprise, the nature of the business, the nature of your duties, and whether you intend to resign such position immediately if selected as magistrate.
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Are you able to hear Foreclosure cases?
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Have you been or are you currently a party in any foreclosure litigation in the state of Florida? If so, please list the case citation, county and disposition:
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Please list any current involvement in any mediation in the State of Florida.
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Have you or your professional liability insurance carrier ever settled a claim against you for professional malpractice? If so, give particulars, including the amount involved.
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Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit either as a Plaintiff or as a Defendant? If so, please supply style, case number, nature of the lawsuit, whether you were Plaintiff or Defendant and its disposition:
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Has a tax lien ever been filed against you? If so, by whom, when, where and why?
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In the last five years, if you have published any books or articles, list them, giving citations and dates
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List any honors, prizes or awards you have received in the last five years. Provide dates:
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List all bar associations and professional societies of which you are a member and give the titles and dates of any office which you have held in such groups and committees to which you belong.
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Have you attended any continuing legal education programs during the past five years? If so, in what substantive areas?
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In the last five years, have you taught any courses on law or lectured at bar association conferences, law school forums, or continuing legal education programs? If so, in what substantive areas?
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Explain the particular potential contribution you believe your selection would bring to this position.
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Give any other information pertaining to your qualifications that you believe would be helpful to the Selection Committee in evaluating your application.
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List the names, addresses and telephone number of three persons who are in a position to comment on your qualifications for the Quasi-judicial position and of whom inquiry may be made by the Selection Committee.
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Have you had any disciplinary actions taken against you by any State Bar?
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If yes, then please explain.
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Have you uploaded your brief writing sample between three and five pages in length? Your application will be incomplete if not included.
Required Question
