Mental Health Appeals Attorney

About The Position

Are you passionate about helping others? Are you someone who we can count on to advocate professionally, aggressively, and ethically on behalf of indigent clients charged with criminal offenses in Maricopa County? Join our team at the Office of the Legal Defender and make a difference in people’s lives!

This recruitment will be used to fill a current Appeals Attorney vacancy in the appellate unit. The level and compensation offered will be based on the education and experience provided on the application.

Job Contributions

• Appears in court representing clients at scheduled hearings and trials
• Presents oral arguments as appropriate in support of clients' legal interests
• Researches facts and analyzes legal issues using both computerized and printed legal research tools
• Copies motions, briefs, correspondence, and other legal documents
• Reviews evidence on- and off-site
• Discusses and presents analyses of legal issues to clients, court personnel and related individuals
• Communicates in person and by phone with clients, opposing counsel, co-workers, supervisors, and others
• Provides leadership for professionals, including other attorneys, mitigation specialists, investigators, and paralegals consistent with the current assignment
• Attends Continuing Legal Education seminars

Working Conditions

• Work occurs primarily in an indoor office or court environment with exposure to traumatic subject matter (crime scenes, accidents, etc.), interruptions, time pressures, high volumes of work, and handling multiple complicated, unscheduled, 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
• Valid Arizona driver's license is required upon hire
• Requires traveling to and from job-related locations during a scheduled workday, subject to County policies regarding the use of a County or private vehicle used on County business
• May require both national and international travel outside of a scheduled workday for case-related investigation
• 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

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