Legal Fellow

Arizona State University•Phoenix, AZ

5d•$90,000 - $112,000•Onsite

About The Position

In keeping with the legacy of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU seeks a Legal Fellow to grow in public service through a secondment to various organizations seeking such Fellows to provide legal services. The primary purpose of the position is to provide professional legal services at the secondment site. The position will leverage local and regional talent to support the mission and programs of the secondment site and improve the coordination and effectiveness of programs, services, and actions. Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU will provide training and education focused on the importance of public service lawyers to assist in the growth and development of participating Fellows. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office (AGO) is hiring an attorney with practice experience and a passion for environmental protection to join the Environmental Protection Unit as a Special Assistant Attorney General. Attorney General Kris Mayes has made protecting Arizona’s environment and natural resources, and Arizonans’ access to sustainable water supplies, top priorities in her first term. In 2024, the Arizona AGO set up a new section within its civil division to pursue challenging, cutting-edge environmental matters based on the Attorney General’s independent authority to protect Arizona’s natural resources. Under the direction of the Chief of the Environmental Protection Unit, Unit attorneys and staff work closely with the Attorney General to prosecute priority actions to the fullest extent of the law where warranted. The Special Assistant Attorney General will be overseen by the Environmental Protection Unit Chief and will have ownership over the development of legal matters they initiate or work on as part of a larger team of attorneys within the Unit or from other units within the agency. This position is a one-year position sponsored by Arizona State University School of Law (ASU Law) with the expectation of renewal for a second year upon satisfactory job evaluations and for subsequent renewal on a yearly basis contingent on both satisfactory job performance and continued funding.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
Admitted to practice law in Arizona, or willing to pursue admission within six months of hiring
Admission to, and good standing with, the Arizona State Bar is required (include on resume the date(s) of admission in Arizona and any other states).
Candidate must have an active Arizona State Bar license.
Dedication and interest in public service
Knowledge and understanding of applicable statutes, case law, and court rules;
Knowledge of legal techniques and the basic concepts of American Jurisprudence and of the formats utilized in the preparation of legal documents;
Knowledge of the practical factors that impact litigation decisions and goals, including plaintiff responses, opposing counsel strategies, judicial perspectives, and victim/witness considerations;
Knowledge of ethical standards applicable to lawyers and public employees;
Knowledge and experience in persuasive oral and written communication pertaining to case presentation through various stages of litigation;
Experience in preparing legal documents, memoranda, and correspondence efficiently;
Knowledge and experience in the development of jury trial and negotiating skills.
Skilled in interpersonal relationships as applied to interaction with court personnel, agency personnel, victims, and government agencies.
Ability to identify legal issues, analyze and articulate legal arguments, assess evidence, and communicate it to executive management and leadership in the Office of the Arizona Attorney General;
Ability to effectively plan, organize, direct, and monitor complex investigations/cases;
Ability to coordinate activities with a variety of law enforcement agencies, governmental, and non-governmental agencies;
Ability to encourage teamwork through collaboration and communication;
Ability to effectively utilize the skills of subordinate staff;
Ability to display courteous and professional behavior;
Ability to appropriately apply professional ethical rules in daily practice;
Ability to exercise good judgment in making strategic decisions in cases.
Travel is required for this position.
Regular activities require the ability to quickly change priorities, which may include and/or are subject to the resolution of conflicts.
Regular use of standard office equipment, including but not limited to: computer workstation/laptop (keyboard, monitor, mouse), printer, fax, calculator, copier, telephone, and associated computer/technology peripherals.
Receive and participate in regular review of completed tasks for the achievement of established objectives.
Attorney applicants are required to submit a writing sample with their resume.
Include a one-page cover letter describing your interest in and qualification for the position.
The writing sample should contain an analysis of some substantive legal issue and provide insight concerning your ability to think and to explain and advocate for a particular position.
All applicants under serious consideration for a fellowship with the Attorney General's Office are required to be fingerprinted by the Office and complete a criminal background check through State and Federal agencies.
A valid Arizona Driver’s License is required, along with consent to have your driving record run periodically.

Nice To Haves

Practice experience and a passion for environmental protection

Responsibilities

Actively participate in any coursework and related activities of the fellow program.
Contribute to the networking and mentoring aspects of the fellows program on an ongoing basis.
Provides legal representation, including advice and representation in cases in State and Federal court relating to energy/environmental and related consumer protection cases.
Responsible for the preparation of cases for jury trial, including the drafting of legal documents, including but not limited to briefs, pleadings, discovery, and memoranda.
Investigates, reviews documents and evidence; conducts legal research; conducts discovery; reviews and analyzes cases for trial; and appears in court.
Responds to inquiries from law enforcement and the general public.
Attends meetings and trainings as necessary.
Undertake training to acquire knowledge on a wide subject matter of legal issues relevant to public service attorneys.