Bar Candidate: Paralegal III - Conversion to Attorney I (Public Defender/Legal Advocate)

NATURE OF WORK:   Under direct supervision, performs paraprofessional legal work of considerable difficulty; trains with supervisory attorney learning entry level attorney functions; performs related duties as assigned.As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.

TYPICAL DUTIES: (Illustrative Only) Assists attorneys with researching legal questions; prepares drafts of motions and pleadings; conducts interviews and investigations; participates in trial and pre-trial strategy; acts in a liaison capacity; prepares discovery requests and answers; coordinates educational activities.Law Degree from an accredited ABA school with the ability/intent to sit for the next available Arizona Bar Exam following hire; as a condition of employment, must successfully pass the Arizona Bar Exam and receive license to practice law within 12 months from date of hire; must possess and maintain a valid Arizona driver's license and the ability to be covered by county insurance. 
 
An equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved may be considered.Considerable knowledge of: 

• state, civil, and criminal law, and methods of legal research;
• legal terminology;
• the rules of evidence;
• principles, methods, materials, references and practices of legal research. 

Some knowledge of:

• modern office practices and procedures;
• business English, spelling, punctuation, and grammatical usage. 

Considerable skill in:

• analyzing and interpreting legal documents;
• interpreting statutory and regulatory requirements;
• preparing summaries of legal opinions from previous cases;
• determining alternative courses of action;
• presenting arguments appropriate for court;
• handling multiple unanticipated problems simultaneously.

Good skill in:

• data collection;
• the use of word/data processing systems;
• operating standard office machines;
• organizing and managing case files. 

Ability to: 

• plan work and work independently;
• establish and maintain an effective working relationship with employees, other agencies and the public;
• prepare and maintain accurate records;
• follow written and verbal instruction;
• read, write and speak English;
• communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is primarily performed under direct supervision of an attorney or supervisor. Incumbent generally performs work in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls.
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Essential functions of this position require: lifting, manual dexterity, ability to communicate.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body; involves sitting majority of time; walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Mental Application:  Utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, critical thinking, adaptability and creative problem-solving skills are important.

Salary : $55,000 - $63,398