Associate Attorney - Criminal Defense

GRAND CANYON LAW GROUP LLC•Phoenix, AZ

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Grand Canyon Law Group is seeking an Associate Attorney to join their Phoenix team. This role offers the chance to build courtroom skills, manage significant cases, and develop as a criminal defense attorney with support from experienced professionals. The attorney will primarily handle misdemeanor cases and lower-level felony cases, with opportunities to grow into more complex case strategy and greater responsibility. The ideal candidate is thorough, follows through, communicates clearly, cares about clients, takes initiative, is receptive to feedback, and asks for guidance when needed. The firm provides experienced paralegal support, weekly case staffing, access to the GCLG legal team, ongoing training, centralized intake and client-relations support, and modern legal technology. This position is for individuals seeking meaningful courtroom experience, clear expectations, and a long-term career in criminal defense.

Requirements

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona.
Ideally, one to two years of criminal defense and/or prosecution experience.
Foundational knowledge of criminal law and procedure.
Strong legal research, writing, and oral communication skills.
Strong organization, calendaring, and time-management skills.
Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
Compassionate, professional client communication.
Willingness to accept feedback, seek guidance, and continue developing.
Ability to work effectively with attorneys, paralegals, and support teams.
Willingness to use Clio and follow GCLG’s case-management systems consistently.
Comfort learning modern legal technology and using approved AI tools responsibly.
Reliable transportation and ability to appear in courts throughout Maricopa and Pinal counties.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Arizona criminal defense or prosecution.
Experience appearing in Arizona municipal, justice, or superior courts.
Experience reviewing discovery, drafting motions, and participating in plea negotiations.
Exposure to contested hearings or trial preparation.
First-chair or second-chair trial experience.
Familiarity with Clio or another legal case-management platform.
Spanish fluency.
Extensive felony or jury trial experience is not required. We value strong fundamentals, preparation, initiative, and a demonstrated commitment to criminal defense.

Responsibilities

Manage an assigned criminal caseload with guidance and oversight appropriate to your experience.
Represent clients at initial appearances, pretrial conferences, hearings, settlement conferences, trials, and sentencing proceedings as assigned.
Review discovery, evaluate evidence, and identify legal and factual issues.
Develop case strategies in collaboration with supervising attorneys and legal leadership.
Conduct legal research and draft motions, memoranda, and other pleadings.
Prepare thoroughly for court appearances, negotiations, and client meetings.
Negotiate professionally with prosecutors and advocate for favorable outcomes.
Communicate clearly, honestly, and compassionately with clients and their families.
Explain legal options, potential consequences, and next steps in language clients can understand.
Maintain accurate and timely case notes, tasks, deadlines, and substantive communications in Clio.
Work closely with your assigned paralegal and provide clear case-specific direction.
Participate actively in weekly case staffing and seek input on unfamiliar or complex issues.
Assist with courtroom coverage and collaborate with other attorneys as appropriate.
Participate in ongoing training, continuing legal education, and professional development.
Represent GCLG professionally in court and throughout the legal community.
Review your calendar and priorities without waiting for reminders.
Prepare for court well in advance.
Keep cases moving and follow assignments through to completion.
Communicate promptly when an issue arises.
Accept feedback and apply it to your work.
Work respectfully and effectively with paralegals and support professionals.
Maintain accurate records and follow firm systems.
Ask questions early when a matter exceeds your experience or presents an unfamiliar issue.
Maintain at least 30 productive hours per week and 1,440 productive hours annually, based on a 48-week year.
Maintain 100% compliance with court deadlines, client commitments, and Clio deadlines.
Complete at least 95% of assigned case-management tasks on time.
Keep case notes accurate and current.
Communicate consistently with clients and document substantive communications.
Manage client expectations and move cases forward efficiently.
Secure at least 10 positive five-star client reviews annually.
Generate at least four retained cases annually through professional relationships, marketing, or referrals.
Participate in or lead at least one legal education session annually.
Contribute to law clerk onboarding or mentorship when appropriate to experience.