Job Details for Research & Writing Specialist (Appellate)
| Court Name/Organization | Florida Middle District Court |
| Overview of the Position | The Federal Public Defender for the Middle District of Florida (MDFL) is accepting applications for a full-time, in-office Research and Writing Specialist (Appellate) in the MDFL. The appellate unit is committed to the pursuit of justice by aggressively advocating in federal court for the constitutional rights and inherent dignity of individuals who are convicted of crimes and who the Court determines cannot fund their own defense. The successful applicant(s) must be a graduate from an accredited law school and a member in good standing of the Florida Bar (preferred) or any other state bar. Applicant(s) should have a commitment to providing quality representation to indigent defendants, a working knowledge of the criminal justice system, and a reputation for personal integrity. Applicant(s) must be effective and thoughtful communicators with clients, colleagues, and staff. Applicant(s) should be team-oriented and collaborate with other attorneys, paralegals, investigators, staff, and experts. This position requires strong legal research, word processing, and interpersonal communication skills as well as the ability to identify and analyze legal issues from lengthy, complex records and write clearly, concisely, and persuasively. |
| Location | Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Ocala, FL |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 02/03/2026 - 05/05/2026 |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | 9/1 - 15/10 |
| Salary | $61,722 - $192,331 |
| Link to Court Careers Information | https://www.fd.org/sites/default/files/public/Employment/Vacancy-Files/2026-006… |
| Announcement Number | 2026-006 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.