General Counsel

The State Bar of Arizona seeks an experienced and strategic legal professional to serve as General Counsel. This executive-level role provides comprehensive legal services and counsel to staff and the Board of Governors, oversees the Office of Legal Affairs and Governance Division, and serves as liaison to the Client Protection Fund. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the General Counsel ensures legal compliance across operations, supervises outside counsel, manages board operations, and supports rulemaking and member services. The ideal candidate will be a licensed Arizona attorney with a J.D., at least 10 years of legal experience (including litigation), and 5+ years in senior management. Strong leadership, legal acumen, and interpersonal skills are essential. Political or legislative experience is a plus.

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
• Paid parental leave up to 8 weeks
• 401(k) with employer match
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) 
• Quarterly wellness reimbursement for gym membership
• 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. 

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Summary

Under minimal supervision, the General Counsel position is responsible for providing a broad range of legal advice and services to staff and the governing board of the State Bar of Arizona. As such, position oversees all legal matters pertaining to the operations of the organization, except for those duties and functions under the responsibility of the Chief Bar Counsel. Oversees the Office of Legal Affairs and Governance, and serves as liaison and general counsel to the client protection fund. Participates as a member of the Bar’s Senior Leadership Team. 

Leadership

As part of Senior Leadership Team demonstrates:

• Highest personal and professional standards, as well as superior technical skills and expertise;
• Necessary emotional intelligence to lead subordinates in an effective and positive manner, and to collaborate with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders; 
• Awareness of and accountability for the corporate well-being of the State Bar of Arizona beyond specific division or departmental responsibilities.    

Board Participation

Staff liaison for Rules Committee, Member of Retirement Fiduciary, and Amicus Working Groups. Primary legal advisor to the Board of Governors.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities listed below are essential to the employee’s position.

• Provides full legal services, including advice, counsel, document preparation and review, negotiation and representation of the Bar and/or Boards; provides legal expertise in the areas of contracts, intellectual property, commercial, and human resource law.
• Supervises legal work provided by outside counsel.
• Oversees financial management of division to include budget preparation and management and administration of cost recovery activities.  
• Oversees board operations.
• Supports continuing legal education (CLE) programs and other member services activities, as needed.  
• Assists and advises Rules Committee and oversees preparation and filing of rules petitions on behalf of the SBA.
• Oversees, including the representation of the SBA in all conservator actions executed under the Supreme Court Rules.  
• Oversees internal investigations on matters relating to compliance and assists in resolution of issues, as necessary.
• In coordination and consultation with Human Resources, hires, trains, develops and appraises staff effectively and timely.
• Performs all other related duties, as assigned.

Education and/or Experience Required

J.D. required. Member of SBA in good standing. Minimum of ten (10) years successful practical legal experience, including litigation/trial experience preferred. Political or legislative experience preferred. Five (5) plus (+) years’ experience at a senior management-level preferred.

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.
• Have proven skills as a supervisor and mentor to organize, lead, manage, and evaluate staff in a complex environment.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Experience in formulating, administering and monitoring budgets.
• General knowledge of labor and employment law desirable.
• Possesses the ability to work effectively with staff, Supreme Court, legislation, members, and the public.
• 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 effectively.
• 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.

Computer Skills

Microsoft windows environment with Office Suite to include formatting and production of word processing documents, spreadsheets, and reports. Ability use tools for video conferencing, as needed. 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Position may require travel within Arizona; thus, reliable transportation is required. If using personal vehicle, must ensure have driver’s license and appropriate 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.