Attorney II - Public Defense Services

Pima County•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

Pima County Public Defense Services is establishing a register for current and future Attorney II vacancies across its offices and assignments, including Legal Advocate, Legal Defender, Mental Health Defender, Office of Children's Counsel, Public Defender, and Public Fiduciary. Attorneys coordinate and conduct advanced legal work in assigned criminal or civil matters. They handle the most complex and consequential cases or specialized, voluminous caseloads, exercising considerable latitude, independent judgment, and professional discretion. Pima County Public Defense Services 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. Attorneys provide direct client representation and work collaboratively with paralegals or secretaries, social workers, and investigators to understand clients' circumstances and priorities and pursue desired outcomes through strategic, personalized litigation, negotiation, and mitigation. This classification is unclassified and exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules. The recruitment is for a register of candidates for vacancies, rather than a single specified assignment. Salary grade A3; annual pay range is $98,737–$187,512. The hiring range is an estimate, and the actual offer considers factors including skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity. Regular daily attendance is essential. The position regularly involves telephone, text, and email communications and travel to visit clients and witnesses at residences, jails, and other locations. Work is regularly performed in a professional office setting, with occasional field work and occasional driving. A valid Arizona Class D driver's license and admission to the Arizona State Bar in good standing are required. Positions may require a background investigation and post-offer proof of immunization(s) and/or TB screening.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate.
Five years of relevant prosecution, defense, or civil experience.
Admission to the Arizona State Bar at appointment and maintenance of good standing.
Valid Arizona Class D driver's license at application or appointment.
Qualifying education and experience must be documented in the application’s Education and Work Experience sections; a resume cannot substitute for the application.
Ability to meet any required background investigation and post-offer proof of immunization(s) and/or TB screening.
Regular daily attendance is an essential function.

Nice To Haves

Experience handling serious cases or voluminous caseloads requiring specialized experience or training.
Experience handling serious case types with little to no supervision.
Knowledge and appropriate application of Pima County systems, policies, and procedures.
At least five years of relevant experience is also listed as a preferred qualification.

Responsibilities

Prosecute or defend the most difficult and complex criminal or civil cases, or manage specialized and voluminous caseloads.
Manage demanding criminal or civil cases in public sector law.
Represent County departments, boards, and commissions in civil litigation and administrative matters, as applicable to the assignment.
Prepare ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and leases for consideration by County officials, as applicable to the assignment.
Prepare legal opinions and advise County officials on legal matters, as applicable to the assignment.
Negotiate compromises and settlements and comply with victims’ rights requirements.
Conduct pretrial, trial, post-trial, and appellate practice as required by cases.
Prepare litigation, depose witnesses, provide witness notification, and conduct complex bench and jury trials.
Develop and present legal strategies; review legal documents; identify relevant information; evaluate legal issues and legal-system variables; and negotiate agreements.
Conduct research and provide consultation on complex legal issues.
Research and draft motions, pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents.
Review, evaluate, and participate in investigations.
Comply with rules regulating professional responsibility and uphold the values and goals of the assigned Department and County.
Collaborate with paralegals or secretaries, social workers, and investigators to understand client circumstances and priorities and advocate for client outcomes through litigation, negotiation, and mitigation.
Visit clients and witnesses at residences, jails, and other locations.