Attorney (Various Levels)

Yuma County•Yuma, AZ

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Under administrative direction with wide latitude for independent judgment, develops policies and procedures in assigned areas of work; performs professional legal work in the prosecution or defense of the most complex and difficult criminal or civil cases; incumbents in this position serve at the pleasure of their respective appointing attorney. Acts under the authority of and as provided by the Yuma County Attorney, Public Defender or Legal Defender in prosecuting or defending persons charged with criminal offenses or in resolving civil legal issues; manages and prioritizes assigned caseload; provides guidance to management on procedural issues; assures that cases are resolved within office policy guidelines; in addition to any duties required of the position of Attorney IV, works to resolve criminal and civil legal issues, and assures that cases are resolved within office policy guidelines; directs major criminal and civil investigations; advises law enforcement agencies on legal issues of duties, functions and obligations; reviews criminal and civil cases and assignments; identifies policy and compliance issues, and proposes solutions; conducts officer/witness/victim/defendant interviews; formulates and offers pleas when appropriate; prepares and conducts probable cause determinations; reviews changes and updates in criminal law; develops trial strategy. Conducts legal research; drafts complaints, briefs, motions and other legal documents; prepares and presents memoranda of law, briefs and other filings and legal documents, as required; develops strategy, arguments and testimony in preparation for presentation of case; monitors and reviews trends in law enforcement and criminal justice, and recommends operational, procedural and policy improvements; screens and assigns cases; prioritizes and assigns tasks and projects; counsels, trains and coaches attorneys and support personnel; develops staff skills and conducts performance evaluations; provides direction and guidance in legal analysis, strategies and negotiations; establishes trial strategy; participates in meetings with County Officials, local and national law enforcement, judicial, professional and community groups; may be required to supervise other attorneys and/or units within the office of department on a routine and/or interim basis; may be required to assist in the development and review of office/department policies and procedures; may be required to review assigned unit’s performance and operations, and review and evaluate performance of professional staff and support staff; regular and reliable attendance is required; performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate (JD) degree
Must be licensed by the State Bar of Arizona to practice law in the State of Arizona
Remain active with all Arizona Bar annual requirements
Maintain a clear criminal record
Requires successful completion of a background check
Must submit a Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Disciplinary Clerk of the Supreme Court of Arizona
Senior Attorney (Grade 29): seven years of experience as a practicing attorney AND extensive trial experience in a leading role in complex criminal or civil cases; two years of supervisory experience.
Attorney IV (Grade 28): six years of experience as a practicing attorney and extensive trial experience in a leading role in complex criminal or civil cases; one year of supervisory experience.
Attorney III (Grade 27): five years of experience as a practicing attorney and significant experience in complex civil or criminal trial practice.
Attorney II (Grade 26): two years of experience as a practicing attorney AND experience in civil or criminal legal practice.
Attorney I (Grade 23): No specific years of experience as a practicing attorney required beyond licensure.
Bar Candidate (Grade 17): must have taken the most recent bar examination to practice law in the State of Arizona
Bar Candidate (Grade 17): Within six months of appointment, must be admitted to practice law in Arizona.

Nice To Haves

It is expected that a minimum of 70% of workload must be at the Senior Attorney level to maintain classification.

Responsibilities

Develops policies and procedures in assigned areas of work.
Performs professional legal work in the prosecution or defense of the most complex and difficult criminal or civil cases.
Manages and prioritizes assigned caseload.
Provides guidance to management on procedural issues.
Assures that cases are resolved within office policy guidelines.
Directs major criminal and civil investigations.
Advises law enforcement agencies on legal issues of duties, functions and obligations.
Reviews criminal and civil cases and assignments.
Identifies policy and compliance issues, and proposes solutions.
Conducts officer/witness/victim/defendant interviews.
Formulates and offers pleas when appropriate.
Prepares and conducts probable cause determinations.
Reviews changes and updates in criminal law.
Develops trial strategy.
Conducts legal research.
Drafts complaints, briefs, motions and other legal documents.
Prepares and presents memoranda of law, briefs and other filings and legal documents, as required.
Develops strategy, arguments and testimony in preparation for presentation of case.
Monitors and reviews trends in law enforcement and criminal justice, and recommends operational, procedural and policy improvements.
Screens and assigns cases.
Prioritizes and assigns tasks and projects.
Counsels, trains and coaches attorneys and support personnel.
Develops staff skills and conducts performance evaluations.
Provides direction and guidance in legal analysis, strategies and negotiations.
Establishes trial strategy.
Participates in meetings with County Officials, local and national law enforcement, judicial, professional and community groups.
May be required to supervise other attorneys and/or units within the office of department on a routine and/or interim basis.
May be required to assist in the development and review of office/department policies and procedures.
May be required to review assigned unit’s performance and operations, and review and evaluate performance of professional staff and support staff.
Regular and reliable attendance is required.
Performs other duties as assigned.