Legal Support Assistant

The Legal Support Assistantprovides high-quality clerical services to our attorneys, enabling them to provide effective legal representation and protect clients' rights.

About Us

With over 400 employees, the Office of the Public Defender is the largest of the five indigent defense offices in Maricopa County. We are also one of the largest public defender offices in the country. Our office provides innovative, client-centered legal representation in the full range of criminal matters to clients unable to afford legal counsel. Our attorneys and staff are dedicated to treating our clients with respect and dignity as we defend their constitutional rights in a court of law. This is a fast-paced department with an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

Proud to Offer

• Work with a greater purpose

• Tuition reimbursement

• Exceptional work-life balance, with hybrid and alternative work schedules

• 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

• Employee discounts for goods and services

• Maricopa County participates in the Arizona State Retirement System. This defined retirement benefit requires a 12.27% monthly contribution rate and includes a 100% employer match on Day 1

• Learn more at Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ

We Require

• One year of clerical experience

• High School Diploma or GED

• A combination of post-secondary education and/or job-related experience may substitute for the minimum qualifications on a year-for-year basis

We Also Value

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills

• Experience working within an indigent defense office, legal, court, criminal justice system, insurance, or real estate environment

Job Contributions

• Answer a multi-line telephone, manage incoming calls by screening, directing, and transferring to appropriate staff

• Assist callers and in-person customers by relaying information regarding their assigned attorney as well as upcoming court dates

• Prepare routine legal and administrative correspondence; prepare transcription from electronic media (e.g., audiotape, CD)

• Assist with the organization of digital and physical case files; file documents, prepare court calendars, and process closed files

• Photocopy and distribute memos, correspondence, notebooks, motions, briefs, files, and other documents for assigned unit, group, or division

• Serve as backup to legal secretaries, justice system clerks, front office receptionists, and office aides

• Manage incoming mail and electronic minute entries; verify intended recipient; sort, date stamp, and log due dates; calendar events; verify the information against case file; disperse documents to the appropriate staff

• Attend court hearings per assigned schedule or as needed for coverage, documenting information such as attorney assignments and future court dates, organizing documents, and providing support to attorney handling scheduled hearings

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office environment that is exposed to traumatic subject matter (crime scenes, accidents, etc.).

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs

• Must possess or obtain a valid Arizona driver's license upon hire

• Travel to and from court locations may be required

• Frequent interruptions and handling multiple tasks may be frequent occurrences

• Upon successful completion of initial training, this position has the option to choose among several hybrid or flexible schedule options, including the potential to work up to 5 days from home each pay period