General Counsel

Maricopa County•Phoenix, AZ

20h•$131,000 - $188,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Are you an experienced attorney interested in applying your legal expertise to work in service of the public good, shaping policy and upholding justice for your community? With minimal supervision and oversight, this position is responsible for providing legal advice on matters affecting the Clerk of the Superior Court and its operations. This position will perform complex legal working including researching, analyzing, compiling, and recommending action on proposed, existing, and potential legislation and rules of Court which may have direct impact to the operations of the Clerk. The incumbent will advocate on behalf of the Clerk to necessary government bodies and it will assist and advise the Elected Clerk and other senior management staff on legal issues related to the Office. Be bold and dare to make a difference, not just today but every day as a Clerk of the Superior Court! This position has the opportunity for a flexible/hybrid schedule when training has been successfully completed. About Us Join a team on a mission to provide fair and equitable access to justice. The Clerk of the Superior Court is looking for people who strive to provide excellent customer service, collaborate in a team atmosphere, and serve the community. Every member plays a vital role in providing services for the justice system, the legal community, and the general public. COSC adopted Factors for Success to provide transparent guidance for sustainability, strategic initiative achievement, positive learning culture, and inclusivity by linking foundational skills and value-based behaviors. The four Factors for Success and related competencies are: Thought: Have and use the appropriate knowledge. (Business Acumen, Customer Focus, Strategic Mindset) Results: Take initiative and be accountable for results. (Takes Initiative, Ensures Accountability, Results Focused) People: Effectively communicate and interact with others. (Influential, Develops/Others Teamwork, Collaborative) Self: Recognize and reflect on oneself and one’s behavior. (Authentic, Aware, Flexible) Proud to Offer Perform work with a greater purpose: play a vital and intricate part in the administration of justice Exceptional work-life balance Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families exclusively Tuition reimbursement Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave Extensive wellness program, including healthcare premium discounts Employee discounts for goods and services Maricopa County participates in the Arizona State Retirement System. This defined retirement benefit requires a 12% monthly contribution rate and includes a 100% employer match on Day 1 Learn more at Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ

Requirements

Five years of experience as an attorney in the practice of law, with at least two years of professional level experience with intergovernmental coordination or legislative affairs
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited and American Bar Association (ABA) approved law school
Must be admitted to practice law and be in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona at time of application.

Nice To Haves

Preference may be given to candidates that demonstrate experience working with state or local government agencies

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary contact within the Office to interpret statutes, rules related to Clerk's Office operations and legal responsibilities and provide legal guidance and advice to the Clerk and the Executive Management Team. This includes the performance of the standard functions of a general counsel to a government agency, which includes, but is not limited to, providing legal advice to Executive Management Team, administrators, managers, supervisors and staff regarding administrative orders, policies, procedures, contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and leases
Prepare and present summaries and other communications, develop feedback, including proposed modifications to bill language, communicate with legislative staff, the Arizona Association of Superior Court Clerks, the AOC, the court, the MCAO and other stakeholders regarding the feasibility for implementation of proposed legislation and impacts to the Clerk's Office
Monitor, track, draft and analyze proposed changes to rules of court as well as serve as the Office's representative on AOC and State Bar Rule Task Forces, Committees and Workgroups with other attorneys and judicial officers and prepare formal comments for submission to the Arizona Supreme Court on rule petitions
Analyze, assess, and provide legal position to the Attorney General's Office regarding matters in which the Clerk's Office is a named Defendant
Provide responses to inquiries from the media and the public and analyze and assess complex or sensitive records access issues and provide legal advice and guidance to our Public Records Department and Communications Team with regard to responses to public records requests under Rule 123 of the Arizona Rules of the Supreme Court, Clerk's Office social media communications, website content, News Releases and Newsletters. This also includes responding to complex inquiries for records in the form of public records requests or subpoenas from attorneys, process servers, law enforcement, the State Bar of Arizona and pro per litigants
Serve as a liaison to judicial officers, including presiding judicial officers, as well as court administration, including but not limited to the court's general counsel, communications director, public information officers and court administrators, with regard to Clerk's Office, compliance with statutes, rules and policies and procedures for the handling of documents in all case types
Represent the interests of the Clerk's Office in meetings, committees, and workgroups and on projects with the judiciary, court administration, internal and external departments and agencies, the legal community, and the public
Ensure Clerk's Office departments as well as the court have sufficient information with regard to high-profile cases and matters involving the court system, which includes frequent communications with the general counsel and communications officers with the Court to ensure that the court has documents and information needed and that our external communications are consistent.
Direct the establishment, implementation, and continuous improvement of COSC communication and media policies, procedures, and programs ensuring all internal and external messaging is consistent with the organization’s legal risk mitigation strategies and policy positions.
Use positive influence to collaborate openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people
Supports and exemplifies the COSC Factors for Success – Thought, Results, People, Self
Performs other duties as assigned or required

Benefits

Perform work with a greater purpose: play a vital and intricate part in the administration of justice
Exceptional work-life balance
Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families exclusively
Tuition reimbursement
Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
Extensive wellness program, including healthcare premium discounts
Employee discounts for goods and services
Maricopa County participates in the Arizona State Retirement System. This defined retirement benefit requires a 12% monthly contribution rate and includes a 100% employer match on Day 1