Job Description
Requisition No: 884426
Agency: Children and Families
Working Title: ENTRY LEVEL ATTORNEY
Pay Plan: SES
Position Number: 60071395
Salary: $69,240.08
Posting Closing Date: 10/24/2026
Total Compensation Estimator
Tool
Children’s Legal Services
Department of Children and Families
West Palm Beach, FL
Open Competitive
What you will do:
MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN!
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.
Qualifications:
Law Degree
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 that coaches new and experienced attorneys 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 for Working for the State of Florida:
Florida Bar annual dues are paid for by the Department, contingent upon agency approval
Public Loan Forgiveness Program
No state income tax for residents of Florida
On each anniversary date, you will be accredited 176 hours of annual leave and 104 hours of sick leave
Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year
State Group Insurance coverage options (health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options)
Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
Flexible Spending Accounts
Tuition waivers
And more!
Compensation:
For a full-time permanent appointment, the annual base salary is $69,240.08 and total compensation inclusive of the benefits listed above is valued at a minimum of $97,679. Actual total compensation will vary based on insurance and retirement elections.
For a more complete list of benefits, visit
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit an online application that includes a cover letter and a resume that demonstrates your qualifications. You may be requested to subsequently provide a writing sample, law school transcripts, and references to assist the committee.
Growth Opportunities:
We have several ways you can grow as an attorney with CLS. There are pathways for promotion for those who want to be leaders in the courtroom and for those who would rather be leaders in the office. To open the door for growth, CLS invites all of its team members to participate on special projects that create strategies for better outcomes for children.
Come grow with us today!
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
Job Tags
Permanent employment, Full time, Work at office, Flexible hours