Attorney II - Public Defense Services

Pima County • Tucson, AZ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

THIS RECRUITMENT IS TO ESTABLISH A REGISTER for current and future ATTORNEY II 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). Attorneys at this level regularly prepare, defend, and resolve the most complex legal work involving serious and consequential matters or voluminous caseloads requiring specialized experience and training, demanding a higher degree of resourcefulness, skill and knowledge than that assigned to lower-level attorneys. Work is performed with considerable latitude, independent judgment, and professional discretion. 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 AND five (5) years of relevant prosecution, defense, or civil experience.
• Admission to the Arizona State Bar at time of appointment, which must be maintained in good standing.
• All positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or appointment.
• Frequently operates a computer and other office equipment.
• Frequently observes details at close range.
• Frequently speaks to clients, witnesses, and other case involved parties, such as law enforcement agencies and experts in-person and/or on the phone.
• Regularly works in a professional office setting.
• Occasionally drives to conduct field work.
• Occasionally must lift and carry items.
• Occasionally remains in a stationary position.
• Occasionally moves about inside an office.
• Action Activity - Reaching; Motion Activity - grasping; Speaking Activity - in person and on the phone; Vision - operate motor vehicle, distinguish colors, have depth perception and peripheral vision

Nice To Haves

• Minimum five (5) years of relevant experience.
• Experience handling serious cases or voluminous caseloads requiring specialized experience/training.
• Experience with little to no supervision on serious case types handled.
• Knowledge and appropriate application of systems, policies, and procedures of Pima County (additional assessments of current and previous Pima County employees may be conducted).

Responsibilities

• Prosecutes or defends the most difficult and complex criminal or civil cases, or voluminous caseloads requiring specialized experience and training, brought for and against the County, in State or Federal Courts
• Manages the most demanding criminal or civil cases in public sector law or manages caseloads requiring specialized skills and experience
• Represents County departments, boards and commissions in civil litigation and administrative matters
• Prepares ordinances, resolutions, contracts and leases for consideration by county officials
• Prepares legal opinions and advises county officials on a variety of legal 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 complex bench and jury trials
• Develops, refines, and presents legal strategies, reviews legal documents, extracts relevant information, evaluates legal issues and legal system variables and negotiates agreements
• Conduct research and provide consultation involving complex and difficult legal issues
• 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

• The County requires pre-employment background checks.
• Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history.
• All positions may require satisfactory completion of a personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems.

What This Job Offers

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