Attorney II - Public Defense Services

Pima County•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

REVISED 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). Coordinates and conducts professional legal work in Public Defense Services Department offices. Incumbents perform advanced level legal work in the area assigned for either criminal or civil matters. 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. This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules. For more information on the Pima County Public Defense Services Department and the offices in this department, please visit their website at: www.pima.gov/pds

Requirements

Juris Doctorate
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. Failure to obtain / maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination.

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

Pima County stands out as an exceptional workplace, offering a supportive environment that fosters professional growth and personal satisfaction.
As one of the largest employers in the region, Pima County prioritizes its commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, recognizing the unique contributions of each employee.
Embracing innovation and collaboration, Pima County provides multiple opportunities in which individuals can make a meaningful impact on their community.
One of the key advantages of working for Pima County is its comprehensive benefits package.
Employees enjoy competitive salaries, generous health insurance coverage, and retirement plans that contribute to long-term financial security.
Pima County recognizes the importance of a healthy work-life balance, offering flexible work schedules, a generous family leave policy and wellness programs that prioritize employee well-being.
Furthermore, Pima County takes pride in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional advancement through training programs, workshops, and educational reimbursement programs.
In addition, a County-wide employee recognition program rewards employees who exemplify the County values of being accountable, respectful and ethical as well as providing great customer service.
By joining Pima County, individuals become part of a dedicated team working towards a common goal: enhancing the quality of life for residents and building a vibrant future.
Pima County is not just an employer; it's a community that values its employees, encourages their growth, and invests in their success.