Associate Attorney - Criminal Defense

Job Type

Full-time

Description

About Grand Canyon Law Group

Grand Canyon Law Group is a top-tier Arizona criminal defense firm dedicated to protecting the rights and futures of good people facing serious charges. We believe in delivering high-level representation with compassion, integrity, and results. We are currently seeking a talented and experienced Associate Attorney to join our Phoenix office and help us continue raising the standard for client advocacy and courtroom excellence.

Job Description

As an Associate Attorney at Grand Canyon Law Group, you will:

• Represent clients in felony and misdemeanor criminal cases throughout Arizona, from arraignment through trial or resolution
• Serve as lead or secondary counsel on a variety of matters
• Conduct legal research, draft motions, and prepare for hearings and trials
• Negotiate with prosecutors and interact professionally with judges and court personnel
• Communicate consistently and clearly with clients to manage expectations and maintain trust
• Maintain a full caseload and meet deadlines with high-quality legal work
• Attend court appearances, hearings, and trials as needed
• Work in a hybrid model with flexibility for remote and in-office responsibilities

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Billable Hours:
  Maintain a minimum of 360 billable hours per quarter (~30 hours/week)
• Task Completion:
  Complete 95% or more of assigned tasks in the case management system on time
• Calendar Management:
  Meet 100% of court, client, and internal deadlines
• Case Efficiency:
  Effectively manage client expectations and resolve cases within target timelines

Requirements

Job Requirements

Education and Credentials:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• Active member in good standing with the Arizona State Bar (or eligible for waiver)

Experience:

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in criminal defense and/or prosecution
• Demonstrated courtroom experience, including trials, motion practice, and plea negotiations

Skills and Competencies:

Position-Based Competencies:

• Analytical thinking
• Sound legal judgment
• Strong time management
• Persuasive oral and written advocacy
• Excellent organizational skills

Relationship-Based Traits:

• Takes initiative and ownership
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Professional demeanor
• Adaptable under pressure
• Fair and empathetic in interactions

Technical Proficiency:

• Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Drive, Gmail)
• Legal research tools (e.g., Westlaw, Lexis Nexis)
• Exceptional written and verbal communication
• Experience with Clio or other legal CRMs is a plus
• Legal research tools (e.g., Westlaw, Lexis Nexis)
• Exceptional written and verbal communication

Preferred:

• Spanish fluency is a plus, but not required

Salary Description

$140,000-$160,000 Annually