Address:  15 S 15TH AVE PHOENIX

Salary: $71,500 - $128,000 

Grade: 01

Closing Date: UNTIL FILLED

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office State Government Division/Employment Law Section is seeking a Senior Litigation Counsel.

Remote Options: This position may be eligible for Remote Work two days a week.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Senior Litigation Counsel to provide legal representation and advice to ADOA Risk Management and state agencies in Employment Law matters, including formal and informal opinions and case evaluation. Serve as lead counsel in complex employment-related litigation. Mentor and advise newer, less experienced attorneys; provide advice, consultation, work review, and co-counsel.

Represent and defend state agencies in federal and state administrative actions, state superior court and federal court law suits, state and federal appellate actions. Conduct discovery, litigation, motion practice, evidentiary hearings, case settlements, and appellate work. Assist in responding to charges filed by State employees with the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, and to the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.

Assist in the drafting of rules, regulations, legislation, and policies that affect the agency. Assist in coordinating legal services by the Office of the Attorney General to the state agencies.
Provide legal advice regarding employment issues, employee disciplinary matters, including advice regarding federal and state laws, rules, and regulations governing employment. Provide agency training on employment law matters.

Oversee and supervise work product of support staff. Travel within and out of the State of Arizona.

Knowledge and understanding of applicable statutes, case law and court rules;
Extensive experience and knowledge 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;
Skill in preparing legal documents memoranda and correspondence efficiently;
Skills include legal and factual issue analysis, legal research, legal writing, oral presentation, and negotiation;
Skill in working with clients to solve problems.
Skill in working with coworkers to solve problems.
Skill in prioritizing multiple demands.
Ability to identify issues, analyze and articulate legal arguments, assess evidence and communicate it to the client;
Ability to manage a significant number of matters;
Ability to effectively utilize skills of subordinate staff;
Ability to display courteous and professional behavior;
Ability to appropriately apply professional ethical rules in daily practice;
Ability to exercise good judgment in making strategic decisions in cases and in providing legal advice to clients;
Ability to travel within and outside Arizona, including overnight stays.
Ability to handle a high volume of work and stressful situations.

Employment Law experience. Extensive civil litigation experience, including pretrial and trial practice involving complex cases.

• 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.

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

The Attorney General's Office offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
• Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Human Resources at (602) 542-8056 or email us at humanresources@azag.gov.

During all phases of the selection process, people with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the AG’s Human Resources Office at (602) 542-8056 or via e-mail at HumanResources@azag.gov. The Arizona Office of the Attorney General does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation or age in its programs, activities or in its hiring and employment practices. The following division has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Operations Division, 2005 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004, Phone: (602) 542-8056, Fax: (602) 542-8000.
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.