Deputy Director, Legal Defense

Posting Date

10/03/25

Application Deadline

10/17/25

Pay Range

$153,000 - $224,000 annuallySalary 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 an enthusiastic leader who believes in serving the underprivileged population and making a positive impact in the community?  We are seeking a dedicated, motivated, and solution-driven Deputy Director. As a Deputy Director, you will play a vital role in providing significant input and guidance to the Director. In this function, you will have an opportunity to utilize your extensive legal background to provide leadership, management, and direction to the team.

About Us

The Office of the Legal Defender consists of attorneys and support staff who help provide quality legal representation to underprivileged individuals assigned to us by the court, thereby safeguarding the fundamental legal rights of each member of the community. If you are motivated to seek just and equitable treatment for our clients, we invite you to apply today to 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 on-site center, Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families exclusively
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness programs, 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

• Eight years of experience practicing as an attorney, of which four must be in government indigent representation
• Four 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 a member in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona at the time of application
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Arizona driver's license by the time of hire

We Also Value

Our preferred candidate has management experience in a law office, as well as experience in policy-making functions for a law office.

Job Contributions

• Assists the Director with the coordination and supervision of legal services provided by the attorneys at the office
• Works with the Director and department managers/supervisors in planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing programs affecting assigned areas of responsibility
• Acts as Director in the absence of the Director and exercises discretion in authorizing designated documents and/or legal pleadings
• Meets and confers with the public, Public Defense Services, other County departments, the Courts, and Federal, State, local, and intergovernmental agencies regarding plans and priorities for existing and planned programs
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality, seamless customer service

Working Conditions

The employee in this position may encounter traumatic subject matters (such as crime scenes and accidents). They may experience frequent interruptions and time pressures; high volumes of work; and manage multiple, complicated, unscheduled, and frequently changing tasks. This position requires accuracy, decision-making abilities, concentration/vigilance, teamwork, and working in close physical proximity with others. Public contact may be a common occurrence. The position requires the ability to lift 15-25 pounds from floor to waist and 15 pounds from waist to shoulder or shoulder to overhead. You must be able to carry 25 pounds 100 feet or push/pull 100 pounds up to 1,000 feet. This work requires travel to and from job-related locations during a scheduled workweek, and is subject to County policies regarding the use of County vehicles and/or private vehicles used on County business.

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!