Description

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL INVITES HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES TO APPLY FOR THE POSITION OF COUNTY ATTORNEY

OUR OPPORTUNITY

With the upcoming departure of Palm Beach County’s County Attorney, the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners is seeking a dynamic and accomplished executive to continue to lead the County’s legal team into the future.

The Board seeks a County Attorney who is ethical, knowledgeable, collaborative, accountable, and results-oriented – one who will provide the County with sound counsel and solutions while maintaining County compliance with local, state, and federal laws. The ideal County Attorney candidate is an experienced law practitioner with a track record of hands-on legal practice, successfully leading and managing the daily operations of attorneys and support staff, and working in/with government agencies. Additionally, he/she is approachable, well-informed, and possesses exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. The ideal County Attorney candidate is diplomatic; politically astute; apolitical; and able to work effectively with the Board of County Commissioners, Constitutional Officers, and other governmental officials, including city/state/federal agencies as well as external agencies, partners, and residents of the County.

OUR COMMUNITY

Located in sunny South Florida, Palm Beach County is one of the largest of Florida's 67 counties by area. Consisting of a vibrant, growing, multicultural population of over 1.5 million residents, it is also Florida’s fourth largest by population. Palm Beach County joins Broward and Miami-Dade as the gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. The County is located less than one hour from Miami, two and a half hours from Orlando, and a two hour boat ride to the Bahamas. 

The County has a large, diversified business community, including aerospace, communications, information technology, education, agriculture, tourism, construction, healthcare, and financial services firms.  Within the County is the Port of Palm Beach, one of the busiest container port in the United States, and Palm Beach International Airport, recently named as the 3rd Best U.S. Airport by Travel + Leisure Magazine. Additionally, there is a continued focus to advance the economic, industrial and civic interests of the community at large, and to ensure sustainable growth and prosperity. 

The County offers a multitude of cultural attractions such as concerts, professional sporting events, museums, and live theater. The region is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with many wildlife refuges and natural areas. In addition to its beaches, the County has over 8,000 acres of parkland to discover and explore. County-owned amenities include beaches, parks, golf courses, civic centers, equestrian parks, amphitheaters and a wide variety of other facilities.

OUR ORGANIZATION

The Board of County Commissioners, the seven-member elected legislative branch of County government, adopts ordinances and resolutions to establish programs that protect and maintain the health, safety and welfare of County residents.

As stated in the Palm Beach County Charter, the County Attorney is “selected by the Board of County Commissioners who shall serve at the pleasure of the board.” The professional and administrative work directing the provision of legal services for the County is assigned to and vested in the County Attorney.

In this role, the County Attorney is responsible for directing and handling significantly complex legal matters, preparing and presenting cases in higher courts and rendering legal opinions of significant impact and importance.  The County Attorney leads and supervises all department staff and operations, and reviews operations’ results. Work requires the exercise of considerable independent judgment and a high degree of responsibility and authority.  The County Attorney oversees almost 30 attorneys and 20 support staff (paralegals, secretaries, and administrative techs). 

OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY’S RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the County Attorney include, but are not limited to, the following:

•         Providing legal services to the Board of County Commissioners, or as directed by the Board, to other County departments, advisory boards, committees, and agencies either personally, through staff attorneys, or by special outside counsel.
•         Providing all legal services for County lawsuits, such as preparation and prosecution of cases, negotiations, trial strategy and appeals involving the County.
•         Performing executive management duties, strategic and operational planning, and assisting and supporting County government. 
•         Implementing directives, policies, and significant initiatives at the request of the Board.
•         Working in collaboration with County Administration, County Auditor, and other local governing agencies.
•         Assisting the Board in decision-making processes, information gathering, policy development, and review.
•         Ensuring that information provided to the Board is accurate, timely, professional and presented in a manner that facilitates executive decisions.
•         Advising the Board of County Commissioners and the County Administrator on all County legal problems, and where and when appropriate County staff, boards, and agencies.
•         Drafting legislation to promote the interests of the County as well as through legislative advocacy.
•         Conducting special studies and assignments at the request of the Board.
•         Preparing more complex legal research and preparing the more important legal opinions for County departments, boards and agencies.
•         Preparing, drafting and reviewing all types of County ordinances, resolutions, bond provisions, contracts, deeds and other legal documents.
•         Compiling legal data through in-depth research for high priority issues.
•         Investigating the more serious claims and complaints by or against the County; recommending action and takes such action as is necessary.
•         Preparing the more difficult cases for trial; serving as trial lawyer for the County before Federal, State and County courts.
•         Advising and assisting less experienced or subordinate attorneys in the performance of their work.
•         Serving as the Board’s Parliamentarian during meetings.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE’S QUALIFICATIONS

For this recruitment, graduation from an ABA-accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree is required, as is a license to practice law in the state of Florida, being a member in good standing with the Florida State Bar, and admission to practice in U.S. Federal Court.

Additionally, the candidate must have at least ten (10) years professional legal experience, including at least five (5) years practicing in the State of Florida, and have considerable experience working in and/or with local government agencies, including demonstrated knowledge in the legislative process, ordinances, litigation, and contracts. Experience is also required in legal services management, including overseeing multiple attorneys and administrative personnel.

A candidate with Board Certification in Civil Law; Municipal Law; City, County and Local Government Law; or a related field is preferred.

OUR COMPENSATION PACKAGE

The salary range for this position is $270,400 - $414,292. Starting salary will be dependent upon qualifications, including the knowledge, skills, and experience of the individual selected. In addition, the County offers a comprehensive benefits package including health and dental insurance, and participation in the Florida Retirement System (FRS). Please note that if selected, residency within the County is preferred.

To apply, please send the following to [email protected] by October 17th at 5:00pm EST.

•        a letter of intent,
•        your resume, and
•        a summary of any legal actions you have participated in that involve Palm Beach County.

ANY DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED IS SUBJECT TO PUBLIC DISCLOSURE UNDER FLORIDA’S PUBLIC RECORDS LAWS