Attorney I - Law Students - Public Defense Services

Pima County•Tucson, AZ

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

THIS RECRUITMENT IS TO ESTABLISH A REGISTER for future ATTORNEY I vacancies which serve all levels/assignments of Attorney in the offices of the Pima County Public Defense Services Department (Legal Advocate; Legal Defender; Mental Health Defender; Office of Children's Counsel; Public Defender; Public Fiduciary). Law students in their 3rd and 4th year, who will qualify by the time of hire, are welcome to apply. Qualification for hire includes Juris Doctorate and admission to the Arizona State Bar. 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. This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules. 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.

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

Applicant is licensed to practice law in Arizona
Applicant is currently pending admission to the State Bar of Arizona
Applicant 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