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Defense Attorney Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Removal Defense Attorney

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$110 - $140/hr

JEELANI LAW FIRM is actively seeking a seasoned Associate Immigration Attorney with 3+ years of removal defense experience to join our dynamic team in a full-time capacity, with standard working ...

Role Objective We are seeking an exceptional bilingual (English/Spanish) removal defense attorney to join our team in a role that combines high-impact advocacy with meaningful leadership. This ...

New

Insurance Defense Partner

Phoenix, AZ · Remote

$150K - $200K/yr

Insurance Defense Attorneys Remote 7+ years of insurance defense litigation experience, including personal Injury, construction, premises liablity, and trucking cases. Maintain an average of 165 ...

Showing results 21-40

Defense Attorney information

See Arizona salary details

$32.1K

$101.6K

$163.1K

How much do defense attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense attorney in Arizona is $101,598.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,100.00 and $119,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do defense attorneys make?

Defense attorneys' salaries vary based on experience, location, and whether they work in private practice or for the government. On average, they earn between $60,000 and $130,000 annually, with experienced attorneys and those in large firms or urban areas earning higher wages. Many defense attorneys also handle complex cases that require strong negotiation and courtroom skills.

What are some common challenges defense attorneys face during case preparation, and how can they be addressed?

Defense attorneys often encounter challenges such as limited access to evidence, tight deadlines, and managing high caseloads. Effective case preparation requires thorough investigation, close communication with clients, and collaboration with investigators or expert witnesses. Staying organized, prioritizing tasks, and proactively seeking necessary information from prosecutors can help address these challenges and ensure a strong defense for clients.

What is the difference between Defense Attorney vs Public Defender?

AspectDefense AttorneyPublic Defender
CredentialsJurisdiction-specific law degree, bar licenseJurisdiction-specific law degree, bar license
Work EnvironmentPrivate law firms, solo practices, or corporate settingsGovernment offices, public defender's offices
Employer & IndustryPrivate clients, law firms, corporationsGovernment-funded legal aid services
Common Search IntentLegal defense for clients in criminal casesLegal defense for indigent clients in criminal cases

Both Defense Attorneys and Public Defenders are licensed lawyers specializing in criminal defense. The main difference lies in their employment: Defense Attorneys typically work in private practice or firms, representing clients who can pay for legal services. Public Defenders work for government agencies, providing free legal defense to those who cannot afford it. While their roles are similar, their work environments and client bases differ significantly.

What is the most a defense attorney can make?

The salary of a defense attorney varies widely based on experience, location, and whether they work in private practice or for the government. Experienced defense attorneys in private practice can earn over $200,000 annually, while those in public defense roles typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 per year. High-profile or specialized attorneys may earn even more through case success and reputation.

What does a defense attorney do?

A defense attorney is a lawyer who represents individuals or organizations accused of crimes in court. Their primary responsibility is to protect the legal rights of their clients, provide legal advice, and build a strong defense to challenge the prosecution’s case. Defense attorneys conduct investigations, negotiate plea deals, represent clients during trial, and ensure fair treatment in the legal process. They may work on criminal or civil cases and are essential to the justice system by ensuring everyone receives a fair trial.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a defense attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Defense Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and a solid grasp of criminal law, legal research, and case analysis. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, courtroom presentation software, and e-discovery tools is often required. Strong negotiation, analytical thinking, and persuasive communication skills are essential for building client trust and effectively advocating in court. These skills and qualifications are critical for securing favorable outcomes, upholding legal standards, and providing robust representation for clients.

What is a defense attorney?

A defense attorney represents defendants who are facing criminal charges. In this career, you may work to defend both organizations and individual clients. Your responsibilities include researching aspects of a case, inspecting evidence, preparing a defense, arguing the case in court, communicating with clients, managing paperwork and deadlines, and traveling regularly to meet clients. Your job duties also require negotiation and public speaking skills, knowledge of laws and the judicial process, and the ability to work long hours. As a defense attorney, you need exceptional communication skills, investigative abilities, and the integrity to represent clients from diverse backgrounds.

Are defense attorneys in demand?

Defense attorneys are generally in steady demand due to ongoing legal needs in criminal justice systems. Employment opportunities depend on factors such as geographic location, experience, and the ability to handle complex legal cases, with job stability often linked to court caseloads and legal reforms.

What are the most commonly searched types of Defense Attorney jobs in Arizona?

The most popular types of Defense Attorney jobs in Arizona are:

What are popular job titles related to Defense Attorney jobs in Arizona?

For Defense Attorney jobs in Arizona, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Arizona are hiring for Defense Attorney jobs?

Cities in Arizona with the most Defense Attorney job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Defense Attorney jobs in AZ?

For Defense Attorney jobs in AZ, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Defense Attorney job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,598 per year, or $48.8 per hour.

Attorney I - Public Defense Services

Pimasheriff

Tucson, AZ • On-site

$84.95 - $161.39/hr

Other

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

## Attorney I - Public Defense ServicesApplylocations: Tucson, AZtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted 7 Days Agojob requisition id: JR103534# **Job Description Summary**Department - Public Defense Services# **Job Description****REVISED****THIS RECRUITMENT IS TO ESTABLISH A REGISTER for current and future ATTORNEY I vacancies which serves all levels/assignments of Attorney in the Pima County Public Defense Services Department (Public Defender; Legal Defender: Legal Advocate; Office of Children's Counsel; Mental Health Defender; Public Fiduciary).** **The Pima County Public Defense Services Department DOES NOT hire applicants whose eligibility is limited to the Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program (ALAP). Applicants MUST be eligible for full licensure with the State Bar of Arizona at time of hire.****Job Type: Unclassified****Job Classification: 3001 - Attorney I****Salary Grade: A2****Pay Range****Pay Range: $84,947 - $161,387 Annually****Range Explanation:*** Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.* Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position.The Attorney I coordinates and conducts professional legal work in Public Defense Services Department offices. Incumbents perform entry-level and/or intermediate-level legal work in the area assigned for either criminal or civil cases. Attorneys at this level prepare, defend, and resolve entry-level to advanced-level licensed professional legal work. Attorneys at this level receive close supervision from higher-level attorney personnel in the performance of their duties. More experienced attorneys in this classification work more independently under the general supervision of higher-level attorney personnel.Pima County Public Defense Services represents indigent individuals upon appointment by the Court in felony cases, misdemeanor cases, juvenile delinquency matters, dependency and severance proceedings, Title 36 proceedings, guardianship cases, and appeals in Pima County. Attorneys provide direct client representation and handle diverse caseloads of various offenses, allegations, and degrees of seriousness. Attorneys work collaboratively and holistically with paralegals and/or secretaries, social workers, and investigators to understand the circumstances and priorities of each client and advocate for their desired outcomes through strategic and personalized litigation, negotiation, and mitigation.*This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules.**For more information on the Pima County Public Defense Services Department and the offices in this department, please visit their website at:* www.pima.gov/pds.**Essential Functions:**As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.* Prosecutes or defends a variety of criminal or civil cases in Justice Court, Juvenile Court, Superior Court, Federal Court, and Appellate Courts which may include misdemeanor, felony, dependency, delinquency, mental health, guardianship, conservatorship, probate administration, contract, tort, environmental, real estate, tax issues, child support, or appellate cases;* Represents County departments, boards and commissions in civil litigation and administrative matters;* Engages in negotiations for compromise and settlement of cases and complies with Victims’ Rights;* Engages in pretrial, trial, post-trial and appellate practice as required by cases;* Prepares litigation, deposes witnesses, provides witness notification, and conducts bench and jury trials;* Researches legal questions;* Researches and drafts legal motions, pleadings, briefs and other legal documents;* Reviews, evaluates, and participates in investigations;* Complies with all rules regulating professional responsibility;* Upholds the values and goals of the assigned Department and County.**Minimum Qualifications:****Juris Doctorate.****Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.** **Preferred Qualifications******:** (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):*** Knowledge and appropriate application of systems, policies, and procedures of Pima County (additional assessments of current and previous Pima County employees may be conducted).* Applicant is licensed to practice law in Arizona, is currently pending admission to the State Bar of Arizona or plans to take the Arizona Bar Exam within the next 6 months.**Selection Procedure:** **Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.****Supplemental Information:**Licenses and Certificates: Admission to the Arizona State Bar at time of appointment, which must be maintained in good standing. All positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or appointment. Failure to obtain/maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination.Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. All positions may require satisfactory completion of a personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems.Physical/Sensory Requirements: Frequently operates a computer and other office equipment. Frequently observes details at close range. Frequently speaks to clients, witnesses, and other case involved parties, such as law enforcement agencies and experts in-person and/or on the phone. Regularly works in a professional office setting. Occasionally drives to conduct field work. Occasionally must lift and carry items. Occasionally remains in a stationary position. Occasionally moves about inside an office. Speaking Activity - in person and on the phone; Vision - operate a motor vehicleWorking Conditions: Regular, daily attendance is an essential function for this position. Regularly receives and responds to telephone calls, text messages and emails. Drives to visit clients and witnesses at residence or at jail, and other locations to speak with other case involved parties.EEO Information: **Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.**We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr