The Capital Collateral Regional Counsel – South Office (CCRC-South) is a State Agency responsible for investigating, filing and litigating state postconviction motions for indigent death row inmates in the Florida trial courts, carrying forward appeals to the Florida Supreme Court, and preparing, filing and litigating habeas corpus petitions in the federal courts, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

The position is a litigation/appellate hybrid offering opportunities for motion practice, courtroom hearings, appellate briefing and appellate oral argument. The Lead attorney will work in a government office setting along with other full and part time experienced senior capital litigators and second chair attorneys who have varying capital postconviction experience. Cases are assigned within CCRC-S in a team concept. Each client has a different legal team which includes a Lead attorney, at least one second chair attorney, and an in-house investigator. Attorneys work closely with their team, clients, witnesses and experts to effectively challenge the conviction and sentence. CCRC-S’s cases usually originate in South Florida in the 11th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 19th and 20th Judicial Circuits, however conflict case appointments may arise from anywhere in Florida.

Requirements
  • Current membership in the Florida Bar is preferred, but highly qualified out-of-state attorney candidates who commit to sitting for the Florida Bar examination are encouraged to apply.
  • Qualified candidates must also meet the requirements of Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.112(k), which requires:
    • a minimum of membership in any bar for at least five years;
    • at least three years of experience in the field of postconviction litigation;
    • participation in a combined total of five proceedings, including:
      • capital trials,
      • capital sentencings,
      • capital postconviction evidentiary hearings,
      • capital collateral postconviction appeals and
      • capital federal habeas proceedings.
      • *At least two of the five required proceedings must be postconviction or federal habeas proceedings.
  • NOTE: Frequent travel throughout the State of Florida is a necessary part of this position