Legal Defender Director

Posting Date

06/30/25

Application Deadline

07/16/25

Pay Range

$154,000 - $235,000 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

Public Defense Services

About the Position

Are you an enthusiastic leader who believes in serving the indigent population and making a difference in the community?  We are seeking a dedicated, motivated, and solution-driven Director to provide overall leadership, management, and direction for the Office of the Legal Defender.

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 us 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

• 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 upcoming 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 12% monthly contribution rate and includes a 100% employer match on Day 1
• Learn more at Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ

We Require

• Ten years of experience practicing as an attorney, of which four must be in government indigent representation
• Five years of supervisory or management experience
• Doctor of Jurisprudence or Doctor of Law degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school

Other Requirements

• Licensed to practice law and membership in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona or licensed to practice in another state, with the ability to obtain admission to the State Bar of Arizona, at the time of hire

We Also Value

Preferred candidates will have experience in the management and policy-making functions of a law office.

Job Contributions

• Provides administrative and operational direction for all activities of the Office of the Legal Defender
• Works collaboratively with the Office of Public Defense Services, Legal Advocate, Public Advocate, and Public Defender
• Works with the Office of Public Defense Services to assist in the creation of strategic planning and budget development
• Directs and implements departmental policies and procedures
• Ensures compliance with Federal and State ethical, statutory, and Constitutional mandates
• Meets and confers with the public, Public Defense Services, other County Departments, the Courts, and Federal, State, local, and intergovernmental agencies
• Monitors and participates in legislative activities, which may affect the County’s legal defense operations
• Supervises the interviewing, hiring, performance, and management of attorneys, mitigation specialists, investigators, social workers, secretarial, clerical, and administrative staff

Working Conditions

Traumatic subject matter, interruptions, time pressure, high volumes of work, handling multiple or complicated tasks, unscheduled tasks, frequently changing tasks, accuracy, decision making, concentration/vigilance, teamwork, working in close physical proximity to others, and public contact may be common occurrences.

Selection Procedure

• Only the most qualified candidates will be considered

• 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.

Apply Now!