Location: Miami, Florida
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Criminal Defense
Compensation: $20–$24 per hour, depending on experience
About Rier Jordan, P.A.
Rier Jordan, P.A. is one of South Florida's premier criminal defense and family law firms. We are committed to providing exceptional legal representation while delivering an outstanding client experience.
We are seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented Indigency Clerk to become the firm's subject matter expert in indigency for costs, Justice Administrative Commission (JAC) procedures, and court-funded litigation expenses.
This is a specialized position designed for someone who enjoys organization, documentation, and process management. Prior criminal defense experience is preferred but not required. We will train the right candidate.
Position Summary
The Indigency Clerk is responsible for coordinating all indigency-related matters for the criminal defense department.
This position works closely with attorneys, Case Coordinators, clients, court personnel, and the Justice Administrative Commission to ensure that indigency applications, supporting documentation, expert requests, investigator requests, and court-funded expenses are processed accurately and efficiently.
This employee does not provide legal advice and does not manage an attorney's caseload.
Instead, the Indigency Clerk becomes the firm's expert on indigency procedures and related court-funded litigation resources.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesIndigency for Costs
- Review attorney requests for indigency determinations.
- Contact clients to explain required financial documentation.
- Collect supporting documents.
- Review financial documentation for completeness.
- Follow up on missing documentation.
- Prepare Financial Affidavits and supporting forms.
- Draft Motions to Declare Client Indigent for Costs using firm templates.
- Prepare proposed orders for attorney review.
- Track pending motions until a ruling is entered.
- Save signed orders into the digital file.
- Update PracticePanther with all indigency activity.
Justice Administrative Commission (JAC)
- Prepare requests for expert witnesses.
- Prepare investigator requests.
- Assist with interpreter requests.
- Prepare cost motions.
- Maintain JAC documentation.
- Track approved experts and vendors.
- Coordinate submission of required supporting documents.
- Maintain communication with the Justice Administrative Commission when appropriate.
Restitution & Costs
- Maintain restitution tracking spreadsheets.
- Record court-ordered costs.
- Update payment information received from attorneys or clients.
- Track outstanding balances when requested.
File Management
- Maintain organized digital records.
- Ensure all financial records are securely stored.
- Save signed orders and court correspondence.
- Maintain standardized naming conventions.
- Ensure complete documentation before closing requests.
Case Coordination Support
- Notify assigned Case Coordinators when indigency orders are entered.
- Track pending indigency motions.
- Alert attorneys regarding missing documentation.
- Escalate urgent issues immediately.
QualificationsRequired
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Minimum two years of administrative, legal, financial, banking, accounting, social services, insurance, or government office experience.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong computer proficiency.
- Ability to handle confidential financial information.
- Professional demeanor.
Preferred
- Criminal defense experience.
- Law firm experience.
- Experience preparing legal forms.
- Experience working with financial documents.
- Familiarity with Florida criminal courts.
- Knowledge of Justice Administrative Commission procedures.
- PracticePanther experience.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish).
Skills
Successful candidates should demonstrate:
- Exceptional organization
- Strong analytical thinking
- Excellent follow-through
- Professional written communication
- Ability to manage repetitive workflows accurately
- High level of accountability
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Confidentiality
- Attention to detail
Technology
Experience with the following is preferred:
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Adobe Acrobat
- Outlook
- Microsoft Teams
- PracticePanther (preferred)
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (preferred)
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Performance will be measured by:
- Indigency applications submitted within 3 business days of receiving complete client documentation.
- Attorney requests acknowledged within one business day.
- Complete financial documentation obtained before filing.
- Less than 2% document error rate.
- Zero missed filing deadlines.
- JAC requests submitted within required timeframes.
- Pending indigency matters reviewed weekly.
- Accurate tracking of restitution and court costs.
- Timely communication with attorneys regarding deficiencies.
- Accurate and complete PracticePanther documentation.
What Success Looks Like
After six months, the Indigency Clerk is recognized as the firm's expert on indigency procedures.
Attorneys and Case Coordinators rely on this position to:
- Process indigency matters quickly.
- Identify missing documentation before filing.
- Keep accurate records of court-funded litigation expenses.
- Ensure expert and investigator requests move efficiently.
- Maintain complete financial documentation.
- Reduce attorney time spent on administrative indigency tasks.
Benefits
Rier Jordan, P.A. offers a collaborative work environment with opportunities for professional growth and advancement. Eligible employees may receive:
- Competitive compensation
- Paid holidays
- Paid time off
- Health insurance
- Retirement benefits
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Opportunities for advancement within the firm
Why Join Our Team?
At Rier Jordan, P.A., we believe that great legal representation starts with great operations. Every position within our firm plays a critical role in protecting our clients' rights and supporting our attorneys.
As the Indigency Clerk, you will become the firm's trusted expert in a specialized area of criminal defense operations while working alongside a team dedicated to excellence, integrity, and client service.
Pay: $20.00 - $24.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
