Attorney I-III

Maricopa; Phoenix, Northern (AZ, KY); Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PSLF & LRHP

Purpose-driven work

Tuition reimbursement

Hybrid schedule

Growth opportunities

Healthcare

Kids Club program

Paid vacation and sick leave

Wellness program

Arizona ASRS retirement match

Job summary

Maricopa County Office of the Public Advocate is seeking an Attorney to represent indigent clients and prepare cases for defense, including presenting in all court proceedings. This recruitment targets Juvenile Delinquency and will set compensation based on education and experience.

The role requires a Juris Doctor, Arizona bar admission, and strong oral communication skills, with opportunities for growth and a hybrid work arrangement under county policy.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor or Doctor of Jurisprudence from an ABA-accredited law school.
• License to practice law and member in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona.
• Arizona bar exam status acceptable for eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Appear in court and represent clients at hearings and trials.
• Present oral arguments as needed to support clients’ interests.
• Research facts and analyze legal issues using legal research tools.
• Prepare motions, briefs, and other legal documents.
• Prepare cases for trial by interviewing witnesses and reviewing evidence.

Skills

Oral communication

Team player

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

Job description

Posting Date 09/03/26 Application Deadline 09/09/26

Pay Range $82,250 - $171,750 annually

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification.

The position is not eligible for overtime compensation for all hours worked over 40 in the designated workweek.

Job Type Unclassified Department Public Advocate

About the Position

If you want to help others, be intellectually challenged, and live up to your potential, then apply to be an Attorney with Public Advocate! We're looking for someone who is a great oral communicator, team player, and an expert in conducting legal research. As an Attorney, you’ll represent indigent clients when appointed by the court and prepare cases for defense including, but not limited to, presenting such cases in all phases of court proceedings.

NOTE: Recruitments are used to fill attorney vacancies in various assignments throughout the Office. This recruitment will be used to fill a current vacancy in the Juvenile Delinquency. This recruitment is utilized to fill Attorney tier I – III positions. The level and compensation offered will be based on the education and experience provided on the application.

Attorneys hired at a tier I will be compensated at a range of $82,250 -- $135,250

Attorneys hired at a tier II will be compensated at a range of $102,000– $148,500

Attorneys hired at a tier III will be compensated at a range of $114,500 -- $171,750

About the Office of the Public Advocate

The Office of the Public Advocate seeks professionals, both attorneys, and legal staff members, to join our legal defense team! We're committed to the mission of protecting the fundamental rights of our clients. We're dedicated to providing effective legal representation to all indigent persons, those individuals who are not able to afford the services of private lawyers, when appointed by the Maricopa County Superior Court.

Our clients include juveniles charged with criminal offenses, parents, and children in dependency and severance matters (loss of parental rights), and people facing court-ordered mental health evaluation and treatment.

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRHP) for attorneys
• Work with a greater purpose
• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work-life balance, with hybrid and alternative work schedule options
• 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
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring a 11.98% per paycheck contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day1

Want to learn more about the County’s Qualifying and Compensation Philosophy? Follow this link to learn more!

We Require

Juris Doctor or Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school

License to practice law and member in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona

Applications will be accepted from candidates who have passed the Arizona bar examination, or those transferring UBE scores, and are awaiting admission to the bar, but such candidates cannot be hired until admitted.

Valid Arizona driver's license upon hire

We Also Value Experience with juvenile delinquency matters

Job Contributions

• Appear in court, represent clients at scheduled hearings and trials
• Present oral arguments as appropriate in support of clients’ legal interests
• Research facts and analyze legal issues using both computerized and printed legal research tools
• Compose motions, briefs, correspondence, and other legal documents
• Prepare cases for trial by interviewing witnesses, visiting crime scenes, and other case-related locations.
• Review evidence on- and off-site
• Discuss and present an analysis of legal issues to clients, court personnel, and related individuals.
• Communicate in person and by phone with clients, opposing counsel, co-workers, supervisors, and others
• Travel to courts, jails, detention centers, and correctional facilities to effectively represent clients
• Attend Continuing Legal Education seminars

Working Conditions

Ability to work with traumatic subject matter (crime scenes, accidents, etc.), interruptions, time pressure, high volumes of work, handling multiple or complicated tasks, unscheduled tasks, frequently changing tasks, accuracy, decision making, concentration/vigilance, teamwork, working in close physical proximity with others, public contact, and overtime/rotating shifts may be a common occurrence.

Ability to lift 15-25 pounds from floor to waist; 15 pounds waist to shoulder or shoulder to overhead; carry 15-25 pounds a distance of 100 feet or push/pull 100 pounds a distance of 100 feet.

Ability to travel to and from job-related locations on a scheduled workday, subject to County policies regarding the use of County vehicles and/or private vehicles used on County business.

Selection Procedure

Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications. Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile.

Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive.

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact [e-mail] to initiate the interactive process.