Magistrate Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $107,550.00 Annually
Location : Charlotte County Justice Center, 350 E. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, FL 33950, FL
Job Type: Full time FTE 1.0
Job Number: AOC01419
Department: Civil
Division: Magistrate
Opening Date: 07/23/2026
Closing Date: 8/5/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
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 includingOne 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 Family and Civil Court, as well as, Probate court including Baker Acts, Marchman Acts and guardianship hearings. The position requires legal conduct appropriate to the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration and legal research activities at the trial court level in matters referred by the Family Law Judge. The Magistrate will conduct hearings and trials that involve considerable interpretation and judgment in the analysis of legal issues. The Magistrate is responsible for preparing reports that include findings of fact, recommendations and conclusion 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. The Magistrate serves as an integral member of the 20th Judicial Circuit Court's case management team and uses differentiated case management principles and time standards that guide family and civil court cases. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Judge, Administrative Judge, Family and Civil Judges, Administrative Service Manager and Civil Division Manager.
The core functions of this position include: 1) Conduct hearings and trials, 2) Conduct legal research, analysis and writing 3) Prepare reports and recommendations, 4) Review and monitor cases using differentiated case management, and 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.
(1) Conduct Hearings and Trials

• Interpret and make judgment on legal issues
• Conduct trials and hearings in family and civil law matters referred by the Judge
• Prepare Magistrate report that includes findings of fact, recommendations, and conclusion of law

(2) Conduct Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing

• Prepare reports, draft orders, review briefs and research substantive and procedural issue
• Research the application and interpretation of the Florida Rules of Court and Rules of Judicial Administration
• Perform research on particular questions of law as presented by judges sitting in the family and civil division of the court
• Conduct legislative research and tracking of legislation applicable to the court as it pertains to family and civil cases
• Conduct legal research and provide case recommendations and conclusion of law

(3) Prepare Magistrate Report and Recommendations

• Prepare reports that include:
  
  • Findings of fact
  • Recommendations
  • Conclusion of law
  • Timely submit reports to the Family and Civil Law Judges

(4) Review and Monitor Cases Using Differentiated Case Management

• Work closely with Family and Civil Law Judges to manage the progress of complex cases

• Conduct conferences and status review hearings
• Review and monitor cases using differentiated case management
• Progress cases using differentiated time standards

(5) Other

• Attend meetings, training, and educational seminars as required
• Compile statistical information and prepare reports

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:

• General 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 pertaining to family and civil law matters
• Differentiated case management principles
• Rules of Judicial Administration
• 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 hearings and trials
• Prepare reports and recommendations
• 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
• Timely meet court performance standards
• Attend meetings, training educational seminars as required
• Travel circuit-wide to conduct hearings and assist the judiciary, as needed

Supplemental Information
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school
• Five years' experience in the practice of law
• Civil court experience preferred
• 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
01
Please type your First & Last Name below.
02
The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions, which may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview.By completing this supplemental questionnaire, you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any information you provide may be reviewed by the selection recommendation committee. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal. "See Resume" or "N/A" is not an acceptable answer to the questions.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree

03
Do you have Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school?

• Yes
• No

04
Are you a member, in good standing, of the Florida Bar Association? *If yes, please remember to upload a copy of your Florida Bar card with your application.

• Yes
• No

05
Do you have five (5) or more years of experience in the practice of law?

• Yes
• No

06
If you indicated having five (5) or more years of experience in the practice of law, please provide details of how you acquired this experience, which must be reflected in your application.If you do not have this experience, please indicate Does Not Apply.
07
Quasi-judicial experience is preferred. Please provide details of your experience (if any).If you do not have this experience, please indicate Does Not Apply.
08
Are you skilled in computerized legal research, including Westlaw and/or Lexis-Nexis? If so, please provide details.
09
Describe your experience in writing legal reports. If you do not have experience, please respond Does Not Apply.
10
If you are proficient in computerized legal research, including the utilization of Westlaw and/or Lexis-Nexis, please describe in detail how you acquired this experience.If you do not have this experience, please indicate Does Not Apply.
11
Do you have a valid Driver's License to drive an automobile? NOTE: This position requires a valid Florida Driver's License within 30 days of hire.

• Yes
• No

Required Question