Posting Date 07/23/26 Application Deadline Open Until Filled
Pay Range
$102,000 - $195,500 annually Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation. Job Type Unclassified Department Legal Defender 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! As a Mental Health Appeals Attorney, you will have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of indigent clients appointed to our office by the court. You will put your legal skills to work by preparing cases and representing clients through all phases of the court proceedings, all while having a positive impact on those in our community who are impoverished. 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. Attorneys hired at a tier II will be compensated at a range of $102,000 – $148,500 Attorneys hired at a tier III will be compensated at a range of $114,500 – $171,750 Attorneys hired at a tier IV will be compensated at a range of $131,000 – $ 195,500
About Us
The Office of the Legal Defender consists of attorneys and support staff helping to provide quality legal representation to indigent individuals assigned to the office by the court, thus safeguarding the fundamental legal rights of each member of the community. If you would like to seek just and equitable treatment for our clients, apply today and join our team! Proud to Offer Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) for attorneys Work with a greater purpose Tuition reimbursement Exceptional work-life balance Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents Child care benefits including access to our on-site center Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families exclusively Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave Extensive wellness program, including healthcare premium discounts Maricopa County participates in the Arizona State Retirement System. This defined retirement benefit requires a 11.98% per paycheck contribution rate and includes a 100% employer match on Day 1 Learn more at Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ We Require Three years of appellate experience Juris Doctor (JD) or Doctor of Jurisprudence from an American Bar Association (ABA) approved law school Must be currently admitted to practice law and a member in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona at the time of application We Also Value
Experience
with adult criminal appeals and post-conviction relief Work in state criminal litigation within the last three years 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 Composes 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 Travels to courts, mental health institutions, jails, detention centers and correctional facilities to effectively represent clients 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 Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact MHRFeedback@maricopa.gov to initiate the interactive process. Apply Now! We are Maricopa County. Who is that, you may ask? Forbes has rated Maricopa County one of Arizona’s Best Employers in 2024. We are over 13,000 employees strong, providing vital services for one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, with over four million residents who call Maricopa County home. You may wonder what we do, and it may be easier to answer that by asking what are you interested in! Join us and you will become part of a dynamic group of diverse and talented professionals who are passionate about making a difference and giving back to their communities. We offer career paths and opportunities in just about every job category and job level imaginable, so your journey with us is what you make of it! Along with offering purposeful careers, you can expect a rich selection of economical and comprehensive healthcare options, robust retirement plans, tuition and loan payment programs, and multiple paid leave options, as part of an overall generous compensation and benefits package. Thinking about career options, then please think about us! We are Maricopa County, and we are looking forward to working with you!