Attorney Supervisor

Maricopa; Phoenix, Northern (AZ, KY); Hybrid; USD 131,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRP

Tuition reimbursement

Health insurance

On-site childcare

Maricopa County Kids Club

Paid vacation, sick time, parental/lea

Wellness program

Arizona State Retirement System

Job summary

Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender is seeking an Attorney Supervisor to manage a felony trial division. The role includes supervising attorneys, coordinating with support staff, assigning cases, and communicating with judges and stakeholders to ensure high-quality representation.

The position maintains a reduced caseload and may shift to oversee other groups as needed. Strong leadership and extensive criminal defense experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience as an attorney in criminal defense.
• Must be admitted to practice law and be in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona.
• Seven+ years of relevant criminal defense experience with supervisory background.

Responsibilities

• Supervision of attorneys, mentoring and evaluating performance.
• Coordinate with support staff and manage case assignments.
• Oversee day-to-day operation of a felony trial division.
• Maintain a reduced caseload while overseeing complex cases such as homicides and sex offenses.
• Collaborate with judges, clients, and stakeholders to resolve issues.
• Lead trainings and drive process improvements within the team.
• Attend Continuing Legal Education seminars and develop expertise.

Skills

Criminal defense experience

Supervisory experience

Team leadership

Education

Juris Doctor or JD from ABA-approved law school

Arizona Bar admission in good standing

Job description

Posting Date 08/27/26 Application Deadline 09/04/26 Pay Range $131,000 - $195,500 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.

Job Type Unclassified Department Public Defender

About the Position

Are you passionate about helping those in our community who are underserved? Join our team and make a difference doing something that you are passionate about! As an Attorney Supervisor, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of one of our trial divisions. Your primary responsibilities include supervising attorneys, coordinating with support staff, assigning cases, and working with attorneys, clients, judges, other stakeholders, and interested parties to resolve issues and maintain high-quality representation. As the Attorney Supervisor, you will also maintain a reduced caseload. This position will oversee one of our felony trial divisions. The workload includes all felony case types, with more direct oversight on complex case types such as homicides and sex offenses. The Supervisor position also maintains a reduced caseload and oversees the development of less experienced attorneys. The position may shift to oversee other groups throughout the department as needed to address the needs of the department. This position is open to current Maricopa County employees. Judicial Branch (i.e., Adult and Juvenile Probation and Superior Court) employees will not be considered as qualified for this opportunity.

About Us

With over 470 employees, the Office of the Public Defender is the largest of the five indigent defense offices in Maricopa County. We are also one of the largest public defender offices in the country. Our office provides innovative, client-centered legal representation in the full range of criminal matters to clients unable to afford legal counsel. Our attorneys and staff are dedicated to treating our clients with respect and dignity as we defend their constitutional rights in a court of law. This is a fast-paced department with an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

Proud to Offer

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRHP) for attorneys Work with a greater purpose Tuition reimbursement 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 an 11.98% per paycheck contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1

Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ

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

We Require

• Five years of experience as an attorney in the area of criminal defense
• Juris Doctor or Doctor of Jurisprudence from an American Bar Association (ABA) approved law school
• Must be admitted to practice law and a member in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona at the time of application
• We Also Value More than seven years of relevant criminal defense experience Prior experience supervising attorneys or staff in a law office

Job Contributions

• Supervision responsibilities include developing performance plans, monitoring and evaluating performance, providing ongoing mentoring, coaching, and development, and handling documentation and disciplinary action when necessary
• Monitor workloads, case assignments, and reassignments so that a fair workload balance is maintained
• Assess training needs and develop trainings, as an extension of the office training program, to ensure the effective office-wide training and mentoring of attorneys
• Collaborate with others to develop solutions to the challenges impacting the work of the group or office, and work in conjunction with upper management to implement proposed solutions
• Collaborate with upper management to improve processes and lead efforts to develop innovative approaches to improve the efficiency of internal processes
• Resolve complaints by clients, family members, judges, and other stakeholders
• Coordinate group meetings, lead projects related to legal issues, and lead efforts to build camaraderie and open communication within every level of the department
• Maintain a limited caseload which does not take away from the duty to a client or the responsibility of the group
• Attend Continuing Legal Education seminars and develop expertise demonstrated through creative litigation, teaching, and writing articles
• Present trainings and updates to employees and stakeholders, and at the direction of the Director, periodically represent the department during stakeholder meetings

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in an office environment with bright lighting and requires prolonged periods in a stationary position, constant viewing of a computer monitor or screen, frequent computer use involving repetitive hand and wrist movements, and routine exposure to outdoor heat and sunlight Traumatic subject matter (crime scenes, accidents, etc.), interruptions, time pressures, 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 May be required 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 Valid Arizona driver’s license upon hire Travel to and from court locations, government facilities, and other job-related locations as necessary, which may include periodic travel outside of Maricopa County, subject to County policies regarding vehicle use

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.

Who is that, you may ask? Forbes has rated Maricopa County one of Arizona’s Best Employers in 2024. We are over 13,000 employees strong, providing vital services for one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, with over four million residents who call Maricopa County home. You may wonder what we do, and it may be easier to answer that by asking what are you interested in! Join us and you will become part of a dynamic group of diverse and talented professionals who are passionate about making a difference and giving back to their communities. We offer career paths and opportunities in just about every job category and job level imaginable, so your journey with us is what you make of it! Along with offering purposeful careers, you can expect a rich selection of economical and comprehensive healthcare options, robust retirement plans, tuition and loan payment programs, and multiple paid leave options, as part of an overall generous compensation and benefits package. Thinking about career options, then please think about us! We are Maricopa County, and we are looking forward to working with you.