Attorney General (Dept of Law)

The Arizona Attorney General's Office State Government Division/Liability Management Section is seeking a Unit Chief Counsel. This position will provide legal representation to state agencies and state employees in matters in which the Risk Management Division of ADOA provides coverage. This representation includes advice in complex civil litigation in State and Federal courts. The Unit Chief works closely with Risk Management, and must anticipate, and respond, to the client's needs. In addition to providing legal services, the Unit Chief serves as the team manager of the Unit, and mentor to the attorneys in it. The Unit Chief assists in the assignment of claims and lawsuits and monitors the performance of the attorneys and support staff in the Unit. The Unit Chief must demonstrate good judgment in the job functions, and is responsible for personnel matters within the Unit. The Unit Chief acts to further the policies of the Office and Section within the Unit. The Unit Chief works closely with Outside Counsel. The Unit Chief acts to further the policies of the Office and Section within the Unit. Travel within and out of the State of Arizona.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely two days a week, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

Job Duties:
Analyze legal issues; perform effective legal research and articulately present the State's position in motions and briefs and in court. Directly supervises the work of unit attorneys and staff, which includes assigning cases, supervising and providing advice and mentoring, as well as evaluating work performance. Assist in the resolution of personnel and disciplinary issues. Review and assign new matters; monitor attorney workloads. Prepare Quarterly Reports, Rule 14 memoranda and other administrative reports. Prepare for and attend case evaluation meetings, depositions, medications, focus groups, etc. Read and analyze recent court decisions and rule changes affecting areas of practice. Attend office meetings, Continuing Legal Education, misc. administrative matters.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge and understanding of applicable statutes, case law and court rules;
• Extensive knowledge and experience in civil litigation, including pretrial and trial practice;
• Knowledge of legal techniques and the basic concepts of American Jurisprudence and of the formats utilized in the preparation of legal documents;
• Knowledge of the practical factors that impact litigation decisions and goals, including plaintiff responses, opposing counsel strategies and judicial perspectives, and victim/witness considerations;
• Knowledge of financial considerations for the state;
• Knowledge, skills and abilities acquired through lengthy and varied experience in legal practice, especially in complex litigation;
• Knowledge of ethical standards applicable to lawyers and public employees.
• Skill in persuasive oral and written communication pertaining to case presentation through various stages of representation, including litigation through trial and appeal if required;
• Prepare legal documents memoranda and correspondence efficiently;
• Skills include legal and factual issue analysis, legal research, legal writing, oral presentation, and negotiation.
• Ability to identify issues, analyze and articulate legal arguments, assess evidence and communicate it to the client;
• Ability to manage significant volume of high exposure cases;
• Ability to mentor and supervise attorneys and staff;
• Ability to effectively utilize skills of subordinate staff;
• Ability to display courteous and professional behavior;
• Ability to train and supervise subordinate lawyers;
• Ability to exercise good judgment in making strategic decisions in cases and in providing legal advice to clients;
• Ability to appropriately apply professional ethical rules in daily practice;
• Ability to travel within and outside Arizona, including overnight stays;
• Ability to handle a high volume of work and stressful situations.

Selective Preference(s):

• Juris Doctorate
• Licensed to practice in Arizona

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Travel is required for this position. A valid Arizona Driver's License is required, along with consent to have your driving record run periodically.
• Admission to, and good standing with, the Arizona State Bar is required (include on resume the date(s) of admission in Arizona and any other states). Candidate must have an active Arizona State Bar license.
• Attorney applicants are required to submit a writing sample with their resume/application profile.
• The writing sample should contain an analysis of some substantive legal issue and provide insight concerning your ability to think and to explain and advocate for a particular position.
• All applicants under serious consideration for hire with the Attorney General's Office are required to be fingerprinted by the Office and complete a criminal background check through State and Federal agencies. A job offer cannot be tendered until the candidate has successfully passed the initial background check. Your record does not automatically constitute a bar to employment. Factors such as, but not limited to, age at time of offense and age of offense, as well as the relationship between the offense and the job for which you apply will be taken into account.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements. (https://publicstorage.dc4.pageuppeople.com/1045/ClientPublicFile/3601803f-02e5-4b70-b325-26c8ef309c1b.pdf)

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).