Attorney I - Law Students - Public Defense Services

Pima County • Tucson, AZ

23h

About The Position

Pima County is establishing a register for future Attorney I vacancies serving the offices and assignments within the Public Defense Services Department, including the Legal Advocate, Legal Defender, Mental Health Defender, Office of Children's Counsel, Public Defender, and Public Fiduciary. Third- and fourth-year law students who will meet the qualifications by the time of hire are welcome to apply. Appointment requires a Juris Doctorate and eligibility for full licensure with the Arizona State Bar; applicants eligible only for the Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program are not eligible.

Attorneys perform entry-level and intermediate professional legal work in criminal or civil cases. Depending on assignment and experience, they prepare, defend or prosecute, and resolve legal matters, under close or general supervision from higher-level attorneys. Public Defense Services attorneys represent indigent clients appointed by the Court across felony and misdemeanor cases, juvenile delinquency matters, dependency and severance proceedings, Title 36 proceedings, guardianship cases, and appeals. They provide direct client representation and manage diverse caseloads, working collaboratively with paralegals or secretaries, social workers, and investigators to understand client circumstances and priorities and advocate for desired outcomes through litigation, negotiation, and mitigation.

The classification is unclassified and exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules. Assignments may vary according to department needs. Regular daily attendance is essential. The work is regularly performed in a professional office setting and may involve travel to meet clients, witnesses, and other case participants at residences, jails, and other locations.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate.
• Admission to the Arizona State Bar at the time of appointment, maintained in good standing; applicants must be eligible for full licensure and are not eligible if limited to the Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program.
• Valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or appointment.
• Successful completion of required pre-employment background screening; positions may also require a satisfactory personal background investigation.
• Qualifying education and experience must be documented in the application’s Education and Work Experience sections.

Nice To Haves

• Licensed to practice law in Arizona, currently pending admission to the Arizona State Bar, or planning to take the Arizona Bar Exam within the next six months.
• Third- or fourth-year law students who will meet the qualifications by the time of hire are welcome to apply.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute or defend criminal and civil cases in Justice, Juvenile, Superior, Federal, and Appellate Courts, as assigned.
• Represent County departments, boards, and commissions in civil litigation and administrative matters, as assigned.
• Negotiate compromise and settlement of cases and comply with Victims’ Rights requirements.
• Conduct pretrial, trial, post-trial, and appellate practice as required by assigned cases.
• Prepare litigation, depose witnesses, provide witness notification, and conduct bench and jury trials.
• Research legal questions and draft motions, pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents.
• Review, evaluate, and participate in investigations.
• Comply with rules regulating professional responsibility and uphold the values and goals of the assigned department and County.
• Collaborate with paralegals or secretaries, social workers, and investigators to understand client circumstances and priorities and advocate for client outcomes.

What This Job Offers

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