Assistant Attorney General

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Arizona Attorney General's Office Civil Litigation Division, Bankruptcy Collection & Enforcement Section, is seeking an Assistant Attorney General to advise and counsel State agencies on debt collection matters and creditors' rights. The attorney will represent State agencies primarily in Arizona Superior Courts, as well as in federal district court and local tribunals, and will initiate, manage, and litigate collection actions to recover debts owed to the State.

The role involves all phases of litigation, including motion practice, hearings, trials, appeals, and post-judgment enforcement through garnishments and other judicial and non-judicial remedies. The attorney will defend and enforce State liens and handle related legal matters involving taxes, community property, contracts, and collection law. The practice also includes receiverships, probate matters, foreclosures, excess proceeds, and other proceedings necessary to protect and advance the State's financial interests. Additional duties may be assigned.

The position may offer remote work within Arizona, including the possibility of working remotely three days a week, depending on department business needs and continued achievement of performance measures. Remote work is a management option, not an employee entitlement, and may be discontinued at the agency's discretion. Travel is required.

Requirements

• Active license and good standing with the Arizona State Bar.
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Valid Arizona Driver's License and consent to periodic driving-record checks.
• Ability to travel for the position.
• Submit a writing sample analyzing a substantive legal issue and demonstrating the ability to think, explain, and advocate for a position.
• Knowledge of Arizona Court Rules, including the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure, Arizona Rules of Evidence, and Arizona Rules of Probate Procedure.
• Knowledge of debt collection and of real estate, contract, probate, personal property, bankruptcy, and community property law as they relate to debt collection.
• Knowledge of legal techniques, basic concepts of American jurisprudence, and legal-document formats.
• Understanding of civil litigation and courtroom processes, from filing complaints through obtaining judgments and pursuing post-judgment enforcement.
• Strong communication skills, proficient public speaking and writing, and sound legal research skills.
• Ability to identify legal issues and prepare concise analyses of legal documents and records.
• Ability to efficiently prepare memoranda, correspondence, complaints, motions, settlement proposals, discovery requests and responses, stipulations, and hearing materials with minimal supervision.
• Ability to identify relevant statutes, rules, and case law and use them to develop and support litigation strategies.
• Leadership, advanced problem-solving, and the ability to drive individual and team results.
• Ability to interface appropriately with multiple State agencies.
• Ability to manage litigation caseloads, track deadlines, and organize case information using office software and document management systems.
• Ability to maintain a professional, positive, and supportive attitude and communicate clearly and professionally with relevant parties.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and ethical conduct when representing the Attorney General's Office, including appropriate handling of confidential matters.
• Ability to assess information, identify options, select appropriate next steps, and work independently.
• Ability to work in a challenging, fast-paced environment and respond to changing priorities, tasks, methods, and technology.
• Ability to prioritize scheduled work alongside emerging and unexpected case matters and requests.
• Ability to use department technology to manage cases and related work.
• Ability to manage a high-volume workload and process large volumes of information accurately and efficiently while complying with applicable laws and organizational standards.
• Ability to meet deadlines and present legal arguments in accordance with procedural rules and case needs.
• Ability to provide clear instructions, guidance, monitoring, and review to support staff.
• Successful completion of required State and Federal criminal background checks and the State's E-Verify process.

Responsibilities

• Provide collection and legal advice to State agencies.
• Represent State agencies in Arizona Superior Courts, federal district court, and local tribunals.
• Initiate, manage, and litigate collection actions to recover debts owed to the State.
• Handle all phases of litigation, including motion practice, hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Pursue post-judgment enforcement, including garnishments and other judicial and non-judicial collection remedies.
• Defend and enforce State liens and handle related matters involving taxes, community property, contracts, and collection law.
• Handle receiverships, probate matters, foreclosures, excess proceeds, and other proceedings that protect and advance the State's financial interests.
• Draft legal forms, memoranda, pleadings, motions, and correspondence.
• Appear in trial, hearing, and appellate courts.
• Manage a high-volume litigation caseload, track deadlines, and organize case information.
• Assess case viability, initiate suits, conduct discovery, and pursue judgment enforcement in a timely manner.
• Determine appropriate collection techniques and make case decisions in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, court rules, and case information.
• Ensure filings, notices, and service actions comply with deadlines, court rules, and statutory mandates.
• Communicate legal positions and respond to inquiries from debtors, client agency representatives, opposing counsel, judges, and other parties.
• Present legal arguments and advocate for agency positions in formal legal settings.
• Assign, instruct, monitor, guide, and review work performed by support staff.
• Meet or exceed performance measures, including revenue-generation targets and monthly production goals.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Sick leave.
• Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks per year for a newborn or newly placed foster or adopted child (pilot program).
• Vacation and 10 paid holidays per year.
• Health and dental insurance.
• Retirement plan through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS); enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of employment.
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
• Optional short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance.
• Potential remote-work schedule, subject to management approval, business needs, and performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree