Law Clerk - County Attorney - Criminal Division

This recruitment is to establish a register for current and future part-time Law Clerk (Unclassified) vacancies in the Pima County Attorney's Office.

Hiring range: $22.85 - $26.84 per hour. Pay range: $22.85 - $30.82 per hour. Actual salary offers consider skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

About the Role

As a part-time Criminal Division Law Clerk, you will perform paraprofessional legal work assisting attorneys by:

• Reviewing motions received in misdemeanor or felony prosecution cases, conducting in-depth legal research, and drafting responses;
• Drafting affirmative motions or sentencing memoranda in misdemeanor or felony cases at the request of trial deputies;
• Reviewing these items with the clerk supervisor and the trial deputy;
• Reviewing and analyzing records, electronic media containing possible evidence, and discussing these matters with the trial deputy and clerk supervisor;
• Reviewing, analyzing, and discussing appellate or special action matters in trial or appellate courts, including drafting appellate or special action documents;
• Attending court hearings and documenting reports.

This classification is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules.

Responsibilities

• Research appeals and prepare drafts of preliminary briefs or arguments based on statutory law or decisions;
• Conduct legal research using computerized legal research systems (e.g., Lexis, Westlaw), statutes, U.S. Constitution, legal periodicals, law reviews, digests, legal encyclopedias, codes, regional and federal reporters, slip opinions, and case law;
• Update or Shepardize case law to distinguish and analogize cases to the fact situation at hand;
• Identify applicable statutes or rules in force for particular matters;
• Research points and rules of law and prepare written reports summarizing research;
• Study legal records and comments to obtain data applicable to cases under consideration;
• Draft motions, responses, and legal memoranda;
• Interview victims and witnesses;
• Serve copies of pleadings on opposing counsel and deliver documents to various county offices;
• Conduct routine investigations on less serious charges for background and basic information;
• Confer with attorneys regarding legal issues;
• Maintain appropriate security and confidentiality of information;
• Supervise, train, and assign work to other law clerks (as needed);
• Maintain electronic and paper files.

Requirements

• First, second, or third-year law student in or a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association;
• Valid driver’s license at the time of application; valid Arizona driver’s license required at time of appointment;
• Subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine suitability to operate county vehicles;
• Pre-employment background check, including verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history;
• Some positions may require a personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies;
• Post-job offer physical and/or drug screen may be required.

Skills

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. (frequently up to 20 lbs.);
• Ability to reach, grasp, and operate a motor vehicle;
• Ability to speak in person and over the phone;
• Vision requirements: distinguish colors, depth perception, and peripheral vision.

Working Conditions

• Regular, daily attendance is required;
• Frequent telephone calls and emails;
• Occasional travel to visit clients at residences, jails, juvenile detention centers, witnesses, and other case-involved parties at residences or business locations.