Attorney I - Public Defense Services
About The Position
Pima County Public Defense Services is establishing a register for current and future Attorney I vacancies across its offices and assignments, including the Public Defender, Legal Defender, Legal Advocate, Office of Children's Counsel, Mental Health Defender, and Public Fiduciary. Attorneys perform entry-level and/or intermediate-level professional legal work in criminal or civil matters, preparing, defending, and resolving cases. They receive close supervision from higher-level attorneys, with more experienced attorneys working more independently under general supervision. The department represents indigent individuals appointed by the Court in felony and 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 varied caseloads. They work collaboratively and holistically with paralegals and/or secretaries, social workers, and investigators to understand clients' circumstances and priorities and advocate for desired outcomes through strategic and personalized litigation, negotiation, and mitigation. This classification is unclassified and exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules. Applicants must be eligible for full licensure with the State Bar of Arizona at the time of hire; eligibility limited to the Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program is not accepted. Admission to the Arizona State Bar must be maintained in good standing. All positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver's license at application or appointment.
Requirements
- Juris Doctorate.
- Eligibility for full licensure with the State Bar of Arizona at the time of hire; eligibility limited to the Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program is not accepted.
- Admission to the Arizona State Bar at the time of appointment, 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 Pima County systems, policies, and procedures.
- Licensed to practice law in Arizona, currently pending admission to the State Bar of Arizona, or planning to take the Arizona Bar Exam within the next six months.
Responsibilities
- Prosecute or defend criminal or civil cases in Justice Court, Juvenile Court, Superior Court, Federal Court, and Appellate Courts, including matters such as misdemeanors, felonies, dependency, delinquency, mental health, guardianship, conservatorship, probate administration, contract, tort, environmental, real estate, tax, child support, and appellate cases.
- Represent County departments, boards, and commissions in civil litigation and administrative matters.
- Negotiate compromises and settlements and comply with Victims’ Rights.
- Engage in pretrial, trial, post-trial, and appellate practice as required by cases.
- Prepare litigation, depose witnesses, provide witness notification, and conduct bench and jury trials.
- Research legal questions.
- Research and draft legal motions, pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents.
- Review, evaluate, and participate in investigations.
- Comply with all rules regulating professional responsibility.
- Uphold the values and goals of the assigned Department and County.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
