Are you a skilled legal professional with a passion for ethics and professional responsibility? We are seeking an Ethics Counsel to join our dynamic Legal Services team. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in ensuring compliance with legal standards by providing lawyers advice about the Rules of Professional Conduct via the ethics hotline, serving as the staff advisor to the State Bar's Ethics Advisory Group, and conducting continuing legal education seminars. This position works closely with the Assistant General Counsel, often sharing in duties, including general counsel responsibilities in the absence or direction of General Counsel. In addition to these duties, this position serves as the legal advisor to the Fee Arbitration program, and will provide general legal assistance to the organization, as directed by the General Counsel.
ABOUT US
The State Bar of Arizona is a non-profit organization that operates under the supervision of the Arizona Supreme Court. The Bar regulates approximately 19,000 active attorneys in Arizona and provides education and development programs for the legal profession and the public. The Bar and its members are committed to serving the public by making sure the voices of all people in Arizona are heard in our justice system.
Benefits of working at the State Bar of Arizona include:
100% employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee only)
$900 HSA funding provided by employer for individuals ($2,000 for families)
Generous paid vacation and sick time
10 paid holidays per year + 2 additional floating holidays
8 hours of paid volunteer hours per year
8 weeks aid parental leave
401(k) with employer match
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Quarterly wellness reimbursement for gym membership and health initiatives
A community of friendly and collaborative co-workers
If you are ready for a challenging and rewarding legal career that makes a significant impact on the Arizona legal profession while protecting the public, we want you on our team! To hear more about the mission of the SBA, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTd_T8s6BNw to watch our video.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties and responsibilities listed below are essential to the employee's position.
Serves in the leadership role of the State Bar's ethics functions.
Responds to ethics hotline calls and provides ethics advice and opinions to lawyers.
Participates in Continuing Legal Education seminars and programs and develops educational materials. Conducts internal and external training to provide members and staff with tools to make informed judgments about professional responsibility concerns.
Provides legal expertise in the area of ethics, with primary responsibility for ethics communication (telephone, in writing, or in person).
Prepares written materials on legal services and ethics.
Provides general legal work, as needed.
Assists in the review and appraisal of assigned support staff by providing feedback and input to the Legal Services Manager.
Performs all other related duties, as assigned.
Education and/or Experience Required
J.D. required. Member of SBA in good standing. Have a minimum of seven (7) years practical legal experience, preferably in litigation in private practice or for a public government entity.
Skills and Abilities
Performs all duties in compliance with internal procedures and external regulations. Is responsible for bringing compliance issues to the attention of management.
Thorough knowledge of the Rules of Professional Conduct and Supreme Court rules.
Excellent legal research and writing skills.
Public speaking skills.
Demonstrates sound judgment with action to be taken on cases.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to listen.
Must have high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations. Position requires demonstrated poise, tact and diplomacy.
Strong attention to detail and well organized.
Flexibility in schedule to meet business needs.
Must be a self-starter, able to work independently as well as work effectively with teams.
Model the behaviors expected of all SBA employees by:
Cultivating a positive work environment.
Prioritizing and setting manageable goals.
Being efficient with time at work.
Communicating effectively with management, staff, members, clients, visitors, and the public.
Being flexible and taking criticism constructively.
Maintaining the highest ethical standards.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Required: Position may require travel within the State; thus, reliable transportation is required. If using personal vehicle, must have appropriate driver's license and insurance coverage.
Member in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona.
Other
Regular attendance is required. Additional hours including weekends may be required on a regular basis to fulfill duties of position. At times, individual must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with ability to handle and prioritize multiple, competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance as appropriate.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The Employee frequently lifts and/or moves up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and manual dexterity in combination with eye/hand coordination. Work environment is subject to interruptions, varying and unpredictable situations and time pressures related to multiple tasks. It also requires regular use of computer keyboard and monitor. There is extensive repetitive motion in using hands/wrists. Ability and willingness to travel extensively statewide.