SPECIAL ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL - LEGAL FELLOW

Location: 2005 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004

This position is a one-year fellowship sponsored by Arizona State University School of Law (ASU Law) with the expectation of renewal for a second year upon satisfactory job evaluations. Subsequent renewal is contingent on both satisfactory job performance and continued funding.

About the role

In keeping with the legacy of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU seeks a Legal Fellow to grow in public service through a secondment to various organizations. The primary purpose of the position is to provide professional legal services at the secondment site. The position will leverage local and regional talent to support the mission and programs of the secondment site and improve the coordination and effectiveness of programs, services, and actions.

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office (AGO) is hiring an attorney with practice experience and a passion for environmental protection to join the Environmental Protection Unit as a Special Assistant Attorney General. Attorney General Kris Mayes has made protecting Arizona’s environment and natural resources, and Arizonans’ access to sustainable water supplies, top priorities. In 2024, the Arizona AGO established a new section within its civil division to pursue challenging, cutting-edge environmental matters based on the Attorney General’s independent authority to protect Arizona’s natural resources.

Under the direction of the Chief of the Environmental Protection Unit, the Special Assistant Attorney General will work closely with the Attorney General to prosecute priority actions to the fullest extent of the law where warranted. The Fellow will be overseen by the Environmental Protection Unit Chief and will have ownership over the development of legal matters they initiate or work on as part of a larger team of attorneys within the Unit or from other units within the agency.

ASU Law will provide training and education focused on the importance of public service lawyers to assist in the growth and development of participating Fellows.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional legal services at the secondment site.
• Support the mission and programs of the secondment site to improve coordination and effectiveness of programs, services, and actions.
• Prosecute priority environmental actions under the direction of the Environmental Protection Unit Chief.
• Develop and manage legal matters, either independently or as part of a larger team.
• Participate in training and education programs focused on public service law.

Requirements

• Practice experience as an attorney.
• Passion for environmental protection.
• If the position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function, a valid driver’s license is required.
• All fellows must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Pay

$90,000 – $112,000 per year, dependent on experience.