ATTORNEY GENERAL (DEPT OF LAW)

 

SPECIAL ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL-LITIGATION DIRECTOR (LEGAL FELLOW)

Job Location:

Address: 2005 N CENTRAL AVE, PHOENIX, AZ  85004

Posting Details:

Salary: $120,000 to $133,000 (DOE)  

Closing Date: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Job Summary:

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office (AGO) is hiring an attorney with litigation experience and a background in environmental and water law to join the Environmental Protection Unit in the Civil Division as a Special Assistant Attorney General – Litigation Director.

Attorney General Kris Mayes has made protecting Arizona’s environment and natural resources and Arizonans’ access to sustainable water supplies top priorities in her first term. In 2024, the Arizona AGO set up 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 (EPU), attorneys and staff, including the Litigation Director, are expected to work closely with the Civil Litigation Division (CLD) Chief, attorneys in the Consumer Protection and Advocacy Section (CPA), environmental investigators, and the Attorney General to prosecute priority actions to the fullest extent of the law where warranted.

The Litigation Director will be responsible for taking matters from inception through trial or settlement and for supervising litigation matters in the Unit, including the litigation decision making and work products of less experienced attorneys in the Unit. For all litigation matters, the Litigation Director will directly supervise Unit attorneys, providing guidance and mentoring, and annual performance evaluations with recommendations to the Unit Chief. As such, the Litigation Director must have experience in the supervision of litigation attorneys and staff.

This Litigation Director position is sponsored annually by Arizona State University School of Law (ASU Law) with the expectation of renewal upon satisfactory job evaluations and continued funding.

Why You Should Apply:
● Use your trial and legal skills to pursue creative, precedent-setting environmental impact litigation on behalf of the people of Arizona.
●Work closely with the Attorney General and other key AGO decision makers.
● Address novel and relatively untested areas of Arizona environmental, natural resource, and climate change law.
● Gain valuable experience shepherding legal matters from inception to completion.
● Advance supervision skills by overseeing the work and performance of motivated junior attorneys.
● Enjoy Competitive pay and benefits and a desirable work-life balance.

Requirements:
● J.D. from ABA-accredited law school
● Admitted to practice law in Arizona and in good standing
● Demonstrable litigation experience, appearing in federal or state civil trial court, working on teams with junior attorneys and support staff
● Experience supervising attorneys and staff and directing litigation strategy for an organization or a unit of an organization
● Experience working on environmental, natural resource, and/or climate change matters
● Must be willing to live and to work in Arizona

Desired Background:
● 5+ years of professional experience as a practicing attorney with preferably three years being devoted primarily to civil jury trial litigation practice
● Demonstrated ability to work in small teams
● Demonstrated legal writing ability
● Strong attention to detail
● Self-starter and deadline driven
● Passionate about environmental issues

This position is funded by ASU Law who will pay the salary of the Fellow and provide employee benefits. Salary for this position will be based on experience and qualifications. The Annual Salary Range for this position is $120,000 to $133,000 (DOE)

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

 

Job Duties:

• Provides legal representation including advice and representation in complex cases in State and Federal court.
• Prepares legal documents, including but not limited to briefs, pleadings, and memoranda.
• Investigates; reviews documents and evidence; conducts legal research; conducts discovery; reviews and analyzes cases for trial; appears in court.
• Supervises the litigation work of junior attorneys by reviewing and approving legal analysis and strateg