Attorney I - Public Defense Services

Pima County • Tucson, AZ

1d • $82,472 - $156,686 • Hybrid

About The Position

THIS RECRUITMENT IS TO ESTABLISH A REGISTER for current and future ATTORNEY I vacancies which serves all levels/assignments of Attorney in the Pima County Public Defense Services Department (Public Defender; Legal Defender: Legal Advocate; Office of Children's Counsel; Mental Health Defender; Public Fiduciary). The Pima County Public Defense Services Department DOES NOT hire applicants whose eligibility is limited to the Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program (ALAP). Applicants MUST be eligible for full licensure with the State Bar of Arizona at time of hire. The Attorney I coordinates and conducts professional legal work in Public Defense Services Department offices. Incumbents perform entry-level and/or intermediate-level legal work in the area assigned for either criminal or civil cases. Attorneys at this level prepare, defend, and resolve entry-level to advanced-level licensed professional legal work. Attorneys at this level receive close supervision from higher-level attorney personnel in the performance of their duties. More experienced attorneys in this classification work more independently under the general supervision of higher-level attorney personnel. Pima County Public Defense Services represents indigent individuals upon appointment by the Court in felony cases, misdemeanor cases, juvenile delinquency matters, dependency and severance proceedings, Title 36 proceedings, guardianship cases, and appeals in Pima County. Attorneys provide direct client representation and handle diverse caseloads of various offenses, allegations, and degrees of seriousness. Attorneys work collaboratively and holistically with paralegals and/or secretaries, social workers, and investigators to understand the circumstances and priorities of each client and advocate for their desired outcomes through strategic and personalized litigation, negotiation, and mitigation. This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate
• Admission to the Arizona State Bar at time of appointment, which must be maintained in good standing
• Valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or appointment

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge and appropriate application of systems, policies, and procedures of Pima County
• Applicant is licensed to practice law in Arizona, is currently pending admission to the State Bar of Arizona or plans to take the Arizona Bar Exam within the next 6 months

Responsibilities

• Prosecutes or defends a variety of criminal or civil cases in Justice Court, Juvenile Court, Superior Court, Federal Court, and Appellate Courts which may include misdemeanor, felony, dependency, delinquency, mental health, guardianship, conservatorship, probate administration, contract, tort, environmental, real estate, tax issues, child support, or appellate cases
• Represents County departments, boards and commissions in civil litigation and administrative matters
• Engages in negotiations for compromise and settlement of cases and complies with Victims’ Rights
• Engages in pretrial, trial, post-trial and appellate practice as required by cases
• Prepares litigation, deposes witnesses, provides witness notification, and conducts bench and jury trials
• Researches legal questions
• Researches and drafts legal motions, pleadings, briefs and other legal documents
• Reviews, evaluates, and participates in investigations
• Complies with all rules regulating professional responsibility
• Upholds the values and goals of the assigned Department and County

Benefits

• competitive salaries
• generous health insurance coverage
• retirement plans
• flexible work schedules
• a generous family leave policy
• wellness programs
• opportunities for professional advancement through training programs, workshops, and educational reimbursement programs
• County-wide employee recognition program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level