Attorney At-Will (Limited Practitioner Attorney Trainee) - Law Graduates

Pinal County Public Defender's Office

Have you considered investing in your community? Pinal County is a beautiful place that needs passionate people who want to help others and make a difference in their lives.

Public service is a rewarding career choice; not only does it provide an immense sense purpose it also impacts you financially as well. We may not be the most competitive on salary, but we offer an amazing value to our employees including highly sought after retirement plans, paid sabbaticals every five years and extremely affordable benefit costs. In the long run, Pinal County is an excellent choice to fulfill your heart and soul along with funding your retirement!

Working at Pinal County is an investment in YOU. Apply today and find out why Pinal County is more than just a job.

An Employer that Values Each Employee and Prioritizes a Work Experience that Provides Ample Time for Stress Reduction and Work Life Balance.

Paid Vacation And Sick Leave

15 Vacation Days Accrued Annually Starting Day One

After Three (3) Years of Service 18 Vacation Days Accrued Annually

After Five (5) Years of Service 20 Vacation Days Accrued Annually

Ten Paid Holidays + One Paid Floating Holiday to Use as You Wish

13 Sick Leave Days Accrued Annually Starting Day One

Paid Sabbaticals Every Five (5) Years

Two Week Sabbatical After Five Years of Continuous Service

Three Week Sabbatical After Ten Years of Continuous Service

Four Week Sabbatical After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service

Four Week Sabbaticals Every Five Years After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service

Comprehensive Wellness Program

Quarterly Wellness Challenges

Vision Exams and Optometry Events Onsite

Vaccination Clinics

Onsite Mammogram and Prostate Screening Events

Skin Cancer Screening Events Onsite

Biometrics and Health Screening Events Onsite

Financial Health and Retirement Planning Events Onsite & Online

Fitness Resources and Onsite Sessions Like Yoga and Tai Chi

Retirement Plans with Generous Employer Contributions - Guaranteed Lifetime Benefit!

Variety of Top Tier Affordable Medical Plans - Six Different Medical Plans to Choose From

Some Medical Plans with Zero Employee Premium Cost

Dental and Vision Plans

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Alternative Work Schedules

Telehealth

Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program through the Dept of Education

Employee Assistance

Program with Ongoing Training & Development Options

Civil Service Leave

VanPool Options

Short-Term Disability – Employer Paid

Basic Life Insurance - Employer Paid

Flexible Spending Accounts for Dependent Care and Medical Expenses

Suite of Voluntary Benefits including additional Life, Accident, Critical Illness & Cancer Insurance

Plus, work with an amazing team of people who are committed to making Pinal County a great place for its citizens and its employees.

JOB SUMMARY

Performs professional legal research and analysis on legal issues and reviews discovery in the Pinal County Public Defender's Office. Conducts, court hearings, negotiates pleas agreements, interviews witnesses, and conducts trials under the supervision of a Defender Attorney.

Advancement to the Attorney level classification series is not guaranteed or automatic. To be eligible for attorney level classification series, the employee must perform successfully at the current level, meet the minimum requirements for the next level, and demonstrate the ability to perform the higher level duties.

TYPICAL CLASSIFICATION ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of a Division Director and/or a Defender Attorney:

• Represent the Public Defender's office in the defense and resolution of criminal cases, resolve assigned cases within Public Defenders policy, learn Public Defenders guidelines and standards, and perform duties within scope of authority.
• Assist in the defense of criminal and civil cases, review legal documents, and compile and analyze case facts.
• Evaluate low level felony cases and all classes of misdemeanor cases.
• Review evidence, interview witnesses, prepare pre-trial legal memoranda, select juries, prepare and present opening and closing statements, examine and cross examine witnesses, make and meet legal objections, and request legal instructions.
• Conduct research and provide consultation involving complex and difficult legal issues. Apply legal principles to determinations on individual cases and problems.
• Appear in court and conduct various hearings, identify and subpoena witnesses, records, and other information required to investigate and defend the case, argue facts of the case in relation to points of law, case law, and legal precedent, and interview and cross-examine witnesses.
• Manage assigned legal cases, confer with participants, negotiate agreements, and litigate and resolve cases.
• Evaluate case files and research missing and incomplete information and documents, manage collection and analysis of evidence, research files and computer databases, and update files and records.
• Review case status with Division Director and/or assigned Public Defender Attorney and create, process, and file memoranda and legal documents.
• Maintain the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of the Public Defender's Office by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK

• Second or third year law student or Law School Graduate
• Meet the requirements of Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39 provisions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate of Accredited Law School
• Meet the requirements of Supreme Court of Arizona, Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39, to become a Certified Limited Practice Graduate
• Pending results from the most recent July or February Arizona Bar Exam.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of Public Defender policies, procedures, organization, and operations.
• Knowledge of state of Arizona criminal and civil statutes, rules, administrative orders, and applicable Federal rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of operations, functions, procedures, rules, and policies of Pinal County Courts and Arizona Superior Court.
• Knowledge of procedures and protocols for trial court, arraignment, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
• Knowledge of principles and protocols for the evidentiary gathering of information and records for use in court and negotiations.
• Knowledge of the duties, powers, authorities, and limitations of a Public Defender including rules of professional conduct and standards for ethical behavior.
• Knowledge of legal research methods, techniques, sources, and databases.
• Knowledge of legal case management procedures, ethics, and techniques.
• Knowledge of principles of record keeping, case files, and records management.
• Knowledge of the principles of criminal and/or juvenile law, rules of evidence, motion practice and rules of court.
• Skill in interpreting and explaining legal standards and procedures, applicable Federal and state rules and regulations, and Public Defender policies and procedures.
• Skill in reviewing legal documents, extracting relevant information, evaluating legal issues and legal system variables, and negotiating agreements.
• Skill in defending and litigating cases in a legal hearing and courtroom setting.
• Skill in researching and identifying precedence in case law.
• Ability to operate a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in decision making.
• Ability to handle a large volume of work.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with clients, co-workers, attorneys, courts, employees of other departments, the public, and other participants in the justice system.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Independent body mobility to stand, walk, bend, and sit for prolonged periods of time and drive a vehicle. Manual dexterity to reach, and grasp; manual dexterity to hand write or use computer keyboard; vision sufficient to see and read; hear and speak to communicate with customers in person and over the phone; lifting, unloading, pushing and carrying small files/objects to and from various locations throughout