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

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.  Read more about the position and see if it is a good match for you.  We are growing so be sure to check out all of our other opportunities as well!  

• 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
  1. 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
  1. Two Week Sabbatical After Five Years of Continuous Service
  2. Three Week Sabbatical After Ten Years of Continuous Service
  3. Four Week Sabbatical After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service
  4. Four Week Sabbaticals Every Five Years After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service
•   Comprehensive Wellness Program
  1. Quarterly Wellness Challenges 
  2. Vision Exams and Optometry Events Onsite
  3. Vaccination Clinics
  4. Onsite Mammogram and Prostate Screening Events
  5. Skin Cancer Screening Events Onsite
  6. Biometrics and Health Screening Events Onsite
  7. Financial Health and Retirement Planning Events Onsite & Online
  8. 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
  1. 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 employee

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.  

Work in this classification requires an individual to be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary classification functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this classification may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in this classification description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this description. 

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 Rules of the Supreme Court of Arizona, Rule 39

• Graduate of Accredited Law School
• Meet the requirements of Supreme Court of Arizona, Rule 39, to become a Certified Limited Practice Graduate
• Pending results from the February 2025, 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 the County.  May be required to lift up to 20 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:      

This position is located in an indoor office environment. 

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS:  

We appreciate your interest in our employment opportunities. At Pinal County, we value professionalism and treating others with respect. If these values are not demonstrated throughout the application and interview process we reserve the right to remove your candidacy from consideration and may impact your future Pinal County applications.

The hiring salary for this position is dependent upon experience, qualifications and position funding; starting salaries above the midpoint require additional approval.

This position is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not a covered position under the Pinal County Merit System Rules. Incumbents in this position serve at the pleasure of their respective Appointing Authority. The employment relationship is "at-will" and employment may be terminated at any time, for any reason, with or without cause.   

Pinal County has the right to revise this description at any time, and does not represent in any way a contract of employment.