Attorney I

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Job Type: Unclassified

Job Classification: Attorney I

Salary Grade: A2

Pay Range:

Pay Range: $81,328 - $154,523 Annually

Range Explanation: 

• Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

• Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position. 

The first review of applications will be on 11/28/2025.

The Pima County Public Defender's Office represents indigent individuals upon appointment by the Court in felony and misdemeanor cases in Pima County and provide direct client representation and handle diverse caseloads of various offenses, allegations, and degrees of seriousness. Attorneys work collaboratively and holistically with paralegals and/or secretaries, social workers, and investigators to understand the circumstances and priorities of each client and advocate for their desired outcomes through strategic and personalized litigation, negotiation, and mitigation. Attorney I level attorneys perform entry-level and/or intermediate-level legal work. Attorneys at this level receive close supervision and support from higher-level attorney personnel in the performance of their duties. More experienced attorneys in this classification work increasingly independently under the general supervision of higher-level attorney personnel. Extensive officewide support and professional development opportunities are provided and encouraged in order to facilitate the delivery of sustained, high-quality legal representation.

This Attorney I position will involve representing a higher volume of low-level felony cases until they resolve through plea agreements and sentencing or are transferred to a trial team and will not involve trial litigation.  

For more information on the Pima County Public Defense Services Department and the offices in this department, please visit their website at:

This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules.

Essential Functions:  

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department's need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Prosecutes or defends a variety of criminal or civil cases in Justice Court, Juvenile Court, Superior Court, Federal Court, and Appellate Courts which may include misdemeanor, felony, dependency, delinquency, mental health, guardianship, conservatorship, probate administration, contract, tort, environmental, real estate, tax issues, child support, or appellate cases;

• Represents County departments, boards and commissions in civil litigation and administrative matters;

• Engages in negotiations for compromise and settlement of cases and complies with Victims' Rights;

• Engages in pretrial, trial, post-trial and appellate practice as required by cases;

• Prepares litigation, deposes witnesses, provides witness notification, and conducts bench and jury trials;

• Researches legal questions;

• Researches and drafts legal motions, pleadings, briefs and other legal documents;

• Reviews, evaluates, and participates in investigations;

• Complies with all rules regulating professional responsibility;

• Upholds the values and goals of the assigned Department and County.

Minimum Qualifications:  

Juris Doctorate.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):

• Applicant is fully licensed to practice law in Arizona, or is currently pending admission to the State Bar of Arizona for full licensure (ALAP is not accepted).

• Knowledge and appropriate application of systems, policies, and procedures of Pima County (additional assessments of current and previous Pima County employees may be conducted). 

Selection Procedure: 
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.  

Supplemental Information: 

Licenses and Certificates: Admission to the Arizona State Bar at time of appointment, which must be maintained in good standing. All positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or appointment. Failure to obtain/maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination.

Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. All positions may require satisfactory completion of a personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Frequently operates a computer and other office equipment. Frequently observes details at close range. Frequently speaks to clients, witnesses, and other case involved parties, such as law enforcement agencies and experts in-person and/or on the phone. Regularly works in a professional office setting. Occasionally drives to conduct field work. Occasionally must lift and carry items. Occasionally remains in a stationary position. Occasionally moves about inside an office.

Working Conditions: Regular, daily attendance is an essential function for this position. Regularly receives and responds to telephone calls, text messages and emails. Drives to visit clients and witnesses at residence or at jail, and other locations to speak with other case involved parties.
 

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.