Closing Date: 18th February, 2026

Description:

Why Should You Apply to the Administrative Office of the Courts for the 20th Judicial Circuit?

Great working environment
Growth and Development Opportunities
Competitive Benefits Package
Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick)
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualifying Employer
Tuition Assistance
Paid Holidays
Retirement Plan Options
457 Deferred Compensation Plans

Key Requirements:

Juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
Five years of experience in the practice of law and including One year of Civil law required
Member in good standing with the Florida Bar.
Judicial/Quasi-judicial experience (preferred)

Summary:
This is a professional and responsible quasi-judicial position assigned to Circuit Civil matters. The Magistrate will perform a variety of duties including deciding the merits of a case, hearing and evaluating evidence and witness credibility, analyzing laws and rules, making findings of fact and conclusions of law, and issuing oral or written decisions to resolve cases. This position requires legal conduct appropriate to the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration and research activities at the trial court level. The Magistrate will preside over hearings that involve considerable interpretation and judgment in the analysis of legal issues in civil litigation. The Magistrate is responsible for timely preparing and filing reports that include findings of fact, recommendations and conclusions of law. This position is required to report monthly statistics, meet court performance standards and perform administrative duties directly related to the activities of a Magistrate. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Judge, Administrative Judge, Civil Judges and Civil/Family Division Director.

The core functions of this position include: 1) Schedule and Conduct Hearings in Civil Matters Referred by Judge; 2) Analysis of legal issues in civil litigation; 3) Prepare Reports and Recommendations 4) Conduct legal research and writing; 5) Other duties as assigned

Examples of Duties:
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.
Schedule and Conduct Hearings in Civil Matters Referred by Judge

Schedule and conduct hearings in matters referred by the Judge which include civil court matters, including Baker Act, Marchman Act and Guardianship proceedings
Travel to facilities to conduct Baker Act hearings when necessary
Manage Court proceedings and dockets to assist in progressing the case
Administer Oaths
Evaluate Evidence and witness credibility

Analyze Legal Issues

Decide the merits of the case
Interpret and make judgment on legal issues
Issue oral and written decisions
Prepare written reports that include findings of fact, recommendations and conclusion of law
Type, format and prepare Court reports

Conduct Legal Research and Writing

Prepare reports, draft orders, review briefs and research substantive and procedural issues
Research the application and interpretation of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and Rules of Judicial Administration
Perform research on particular questions of law as presented by Civil Court Judges
Conduct legislative research and tracking of legislation applicable to the court as it pertains to civil cases
Perform research on particular questions of law as presented by Judges sitting in the civil division of the Court
Conduct legal research, provide case recommendations and conclusions of law to Judges, and submit Orders Adopting

Other duties as assigned

Attend Meetings, training, and educational seminars as required
Compile basic statistical reports
Other duties as assigned

Typical Qualifications:
Qualifications:

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. A full-time Magistrate cannot have a law practice while employed with the Administrative Office of the Courts. Part-time or on-call Magistrate positions cannot maintain a law practice in the same area of law in which they perform Magistrate functions or in any area of law which would create any appearance of impropriety or any potential conflict of interest.

Knowledge of:

Civil Legal principles, statutes, case law, court rules and procedures
Legal publications and legal research tools and the ability to use them efficiently
Legal principles, statutory and case law, court rules and procedures
Code of Judicial conduct
Florida State Courts System

Skills:

Manual legal research
Good computer skills which include computerized legal research, including Westlaw and/or Lexis-Nexis
Legal writing and drafting

Ability to:

Reason logically and analytically
Grasp, comprehend, and analyze complex legal issues and complicated factual details
Effectively conduct court hearings, type and prepare reports and recommendations within specific time frames
Exercise discretion, confidentiality, impartiality, and honesty in handling matters before the Court
Communicate ideas and concepts effectively, verbally and in writing
Work effectively with others
Conduct legal research manually and via the Internet
Efficiently utilize various computer software programs, including but not limited to Microsoft Word and Outlook
Perform exacting work, attentive to issues in matters before the court
Digest and communicate ideas and concepts orally and in writing
Maintain organization and meet deadlines
Attend meetings, training educational seminars as required
Travel within Lee County to conduct Baker Act hearings when necessary
Travel within the county and State of Florida for meetings, trainings, etc. as required

Supplemental Information:
Education and/or Experience:

Juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
Five years experience in the practice of law, including
One year civil law required.
Prior judicial/quasi-judicial experience preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Must be a member in good standing with the Florida Bar.
A valid Florida Driver's License, w/acceptable-driving record, is required within 10 days of hire.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
None