Salary

$85,000.00 – $195,000.00 Annually

Location 

Bradenton, FL

Job Type

Full-Time (Salaried)

Job Number

26-00303

Department

County Attorney

Opening Date

06/18/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

Job Description

Essential Functions

These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

Actively practices preventative law by recognizing and addressing possible legal problems before they become problems and designing and conducting training to County staff on legal matters.

Assists the County Administrator and County staff with the development of administrative policies and procedures which are compliant with law, due process, and other relevant legal concerns.

Directs and evaluates the work of assigned paralegals and legal assistants and supervises any assigned interns or law clerks.

Drafts and assists in negotiating leases, licenses, contracts, franchise agreements and similar documents.

Drafts and presents ordinances and resolutions for consideration and adoption by the Board of County Commissioners.

Drafts memoranda addressing questions of law or the application of law to facts.

Litigates or supervises the litigation of cases before state or federal judicial and quasi-judicial officers or bodies, including reviewing, evaluating and drafting pleadings, witness interview and preparation, taking and defending depositions, drafting and responding to discovery requests and drafting and arguing appellate briefs.

Provides advice and counsel to the Board of County Commissioners, County Administrator and other officials as assigned.

Reviews proposed state or federal legislation and advises the Board of County Commissioners, County Administrator, or County staff or lobbyists as to the legal effects or import of the legislation and assists in drafting proposed legislative amendments as needed.

Supervises and oversees the work of outside special counsel, including review of work performed and billing statements.

Undertakes and conducts settlement negotiations without direct supervision subject to approval limits established by County ordinance or policy.

Performs such other duties as the County Attorney may assign.

Minimum Qualifications

Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school.

Florida Bar member in good standing

More

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability and willingness to work hard, and to spend such time and effort on an assigned matter so as to produce a timely, successful work product.

Ability to analyze complex factual and legal problems and develop understandable, comprehensive strategies, recommendations or other responses to the client.

Ability to clearly, effectively, succinctly, confidently, professionally and discreetly communicate, verbally and in writing.

Ability to effectively oversee and evaluate the work of assigned paralegals and legal assistants.

Ability to exercise sound independent judgment without the need to consult unnecessarily with the County Attorney on routine matters and discernment regarding his or her duties to keep the County Attorney informed of significant matters.

Ability to honor the duty of client confidentiality, and to exercise mature discretion with respect to all communications both within and outside of the office.

Ability to organize, prioritize and manage a significant workload so as to ensure all matters assigned are performed in a timely and thorough manner.

Ability to remain calm and professional in the face of provocation by opposing counsel, agents of the client, or others.

Ability to sit at a desk for long periods of time, and to type on a keyboard.

Ability to travel to conferences, meetings, depositions, trials and the like, both by car and plane. 

Firm working knowledge of the use of online research products such as Westlaw and Lexis, as well as traditional paper case reporters, legal encyclopedias, digests, and the like.

Knowledge of all relevant County policies and procedures, including the meeting procedures of the Board of County Commissioners.

Knowledge of all relevant ethical and legal rules governing the practice of law and the conduct of attorneys, including the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar.

Knowledge of and ability to effectively use modern business and legal software including current Windows operating system, e-mail systems, electronic calendaring and scheduling, word processing programs, and metadata screening software.

Knowledge of the constitutional, common, administrative and statutory law of Florida relevant to Florida local government and to any assigned practice areas, as well as relevant federal constitutional, common, administrative and statutory law.

Knowledge of the methods and techniques relevant to effective legal research, and skill in identifying and analyzing information, and ability to express sound judgments based upon findings. 

Working knowledge of rules of evidence, civil procedure and appellate procedures, both in the judicial and quasi-judicial contexts.

This position has been designated by the Board of County Commissioners as serving at the will and pleasure of the County Attorney. Employees so designated may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

EEO/ADA Statement

Manatee County Government is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at 941-748-4501 x 3865.

Drug-Free Workplace

Manatee County Government is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida Law.

Emergency Response/Recovery Activities 

All employees may be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location, and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.