Job Summary

A respected legal services firm in Clearwater, FL is seeking an Associate Litigation Attorney to join its growing Local Government Civil Litigation Practice. This direct hire opportunity is ideal for an attorney with 3 to 5 years of meaningful civil litigation experience who wants direct client exposure, hands-on case responsibility, and long-term career growth in a collaborative professional environment.

The Associate Litigation Attorney will represent municipalities, special districts, and public entities throughout Florida in a diverse civil litigation docket. Matters may include personal injury defense, premises liability, civil rights claims, wrongful death defense, land use disputes, police liability, and municipal defense.

This in-office role offers strong mentorship, supportive leadership, autonomy, and the opportunity to work closely with experienced attorneys, clients, and experts. The firm values accountability, professionalism, sound judgment, and a client-focused approach. Attorneys who are self-motivated and thrive in a trusted, non-micromanaged environment will find this to be a strong platform for continued professional development.

Key Responsibilities

- Manage civil litigation matters through all phases, including pleadings, discovery, motions, hearings, mediations, depositions, and trial preparation.
- Conduct legal research and draft motions, briefs, pleadings, discovery responses, and case strategy materials.
- Represent and support clients in municipal defense, public sector litigation, civil rights, premises liability, and related matters.
- Work closely with attorneys, clients, experts, and witnesses to evaluate claims, develop defenses, and prepare cases.
- Maintain responsibility for multiple active litigation matters while meeting deadlines and delivering responsive client service.
- Participate in hearings, mediations, depositions, and trial-related preparation as part of a fast-paced litigation practice.

Compensation and Benefits

- $110,000 to $150,000 base salary per year.
- Bonus opportunity.
- Profit sharing program.
- 100% employer-paid health insurance.
- Unlimited PTO.
- Cell phone allowance.
- Annual vehicle/gas allowance of $3,500.
- 401(k).
- Bar dues and CLE reimbursement.
- Direct client contact and hearing experience.
- Mentorship and long-term career growth opportunities.
- In-office position located in Clearwater, FL 33756.

Required Qualifications and Skills

- Manage civil litigation cases involving municipalities, public entities, and related government defense matters.
- Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery, and legal memoranda.
- Prepare for and participate in hearings, depositions, mediations, and trial-related activities.
- Develop litigation strategy while working directly with attorneys, clients, experts, and witnesses.

- J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Active member in good standing with the Florida Bar.
- 3 to 5 years of meaningful civil litigation experience preferred.
- Strong legal research, writing, drafting, and oral advocacy skills.
- Experience drafting motions, pleadings, briefs, and discovery.
- Experience with deposition, hearing, mediation, and trial preparation.
- Ability to independently manage multiple matters, priorities, and deadlines.
- Excellent judgment, professionalism, integrity, and client communication skills.
- Located in, or willing to commute within, the Tampa Bay area.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in civil litigation, personal injury defense, premises liability, or wrongful death defense.
- Background in government, municipal defense, public sector litigation, or special district representation.
- Familiarity with civil rights litigation, police liability, land use, or zoning matters.
- Demonstrated interest in representing public entities and handling complex litigation matters.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

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The pay transparency policy is available here:
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf

For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

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https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf

We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.