Associate Attorney - Criminal Defense

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Grand Canyon Law Group is seeking an Associate Attorney, ideally with one to two years of criminal defense or prosecution experience, to join our Phoenix team.

This is an opportunity to build your courtroom skills, manage meaningful cases, and develop as a criminal defense attorney with experienced attorneys and legal leadership behind you.

You will primarily handle misdemeanor matters and take on lower-level felony cases appropriate to your experience, preparation, and demonstrated ability. As you grow, you will have opportunities to participate in more complex case strategy, serve as second chair, and take on greater responsibility.

We are looking for someone who prepares thoroughly, follows through, communicates clearly, and cares deeply about the people we represent. You should be comfortable taking initiative, receptive to feedback, and willing to ask questions early when you need guidance.

You will have experienced paralegal support, weekly case staffing, access to the GCLG legal team, ongoing training, centralized intake and client-relations support, and modern legal technology.

If you want meaningful courtroom experience, clear expectations, and a long-term path in criminal defense, we would like to meet you.

The Work You Will Handle

Your caseload will primarily include misdemeanor matters and, as appropriate to your experience and development, lower-level felony cases involving:

• DUI and traffic-related criminal offenses
• Domestic violence
• Assault and disorderly conduct
• Criminal damage
• Shoplifting and theft
• Drug possession
• Weapons allegations
• Probation violations
• Other Arizona criminal matters appropriate to your experience

Case assignments and the level of attorney support will reflect your readiness and the needs of each matter.

Requirements

What You Will Do

• Manage an assigned criminal caseload with guidance and oversight appropriate to your experience.
• Represent clients at initial appearances, pretrial conferences, hearings, settlement conferences, trials, and sentencing proceedings as assigned.
• Review discovery, evaluate evidence, and identify legal and factual issues.
• Develop case strategies in collaboration with supervising attorneys and legal leadership.
• Conduct legal research and draft motions, memoranda, and other pleadings.
• Prepare thoroughly for court appearances, negotiations, and client meetings.
• Negotiate professionally with prosecutors and advocate for favorable outcomes.
• Communicate clearly, honestly, and compassionately with clients and their families.
• Explain legal options, potential consequences, and next steps in language clients can understand.
• Maintain accurate and timely case notes, tasks, deadlines, and substantive communications in Clio.
• Work closely with your assigned paralegal and provide clear case-specific direction.
• Participate actively in weekly case staffing and seek input on unfamiliar or complex issues.
• Assist with courtroom coverage and collaborate with other attorneys as appropriate.
• Participate in ongoing training, continuing legal education, and professional development.
• Represent GCLG professionally in court and throughout the legal community.

Ownership, Preparation, and Accountability

You do not need to have encountered every issue before joining us. You do need to take responsibility for your work and recognize when to seek guidance.

We expect you to:

• Review your calendar and priorities without waiting for reminders.
• Prepare for court well in advance.
• Keep cases moving and follow assignments through to completion.
• Communicate promptly when an issue arises.
• Accept feedback and apply it to your work.
• Work respectfully and effectively with paralegals and support professionals.
• Maintain accurate records and follow firm systems.
• Ask questions early when a matter exceeds your experience or presents an unfamiliar issue.

Your responsibility and independence will grow as you demonstrate sound judgment, consistent preparation, and strong performance.
The Support Behind You

Experienced paralegal support: Assistance with discovery, case organization, client communication, calendaring, document preparation, and case progression.

Weekly case staffing: Regular opportunities to discuss strategy, difficult issues, upcoming hearings, trial preparation, and case developments with experienced attorneys and legal leadership.

Ongoing training and feedback: Continued development in criminal law, courtroom advocacy, case strategy, client communication, firm systems, and technology.

Centralized operational support: Teams supporting intake, client relations, billing, marketing, technology, human resources, and firm operations.

CLE and conference opportunities: Access to relevant continuing legal education, training programs, conferences, and professional events. Approved travel for firm-sponsored education and case responsibilities is supported by the firm.

Modern legal technology: Clio, approved AI-powered legal tools, and other technology that helps attorneys organize information, analyze case materials, and work efficiently. Attorneys remain responsible for verifying their work and exercising independent professional judgment.

A defined growth path: Our Attorney Growth and Advancement Framework provides a transparent, merit-based path toward increasingly senior associate, partnership, and legal leadership roles. Advancement reflects performance, legal ability, client satisfaction, productivity, professional development, firm contribution, and organizational needs.
Work Location and Schedule

This position is based primarily in Phoenix, Arizona, with regular in-person court appearances, client meetings, and team collaboration. Office assignments and coverage may vary based on firm needs.

The role requires travel throughout Maricopa and Pinal counties, including Phoenix, Mesa, the East Valley, and surrounding jurisdictions.

After successful onboarding, attorneys may have one designated work-from-home day each week, subject to court appearances, client needs, meetings, deadlines, and firm responsibilities.

Court and client obligations take priority over the scheduled remote day.
Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona.
• Ideally, one to two years of criminal defense and/or prosecution experience.
• Foundational knowledge of criminal law and procedure.
• Strong legal research, writing, and oral communication skills.
• Strong organization, calendaring, and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Compassionate, professional client communication.
• Willingness to accept feedback, seek guidance, and continue developing.
• Ability to work effectively with attorneys, paralegals, and support teams.
• Willingness to use Clio and follow GCLG's case-management systems consistently.
• Comfort learning modern legal technology and using approved AI tools responsibly.
• Reliable transportation and ability to appear in courts throughout Maricopa and Pinal counties.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Arizona criminal defense or prosecution.
• Experience appearing in Arizona municipal, justice, or superior courts.
• Experience reviewing discovery, drafting motions, and participating in plea negotiations.
• Exposure to contested hearings or trial preparation.
• First-chair or second-chair trial experience.
• Familiarity with Clio or another legal case-management platform.
• Spanish fluency.

Extensive felony or jury trial experience is not required. We value strong fundamentals, preparation, initiative, and a demonstrated commitment to criminal defense.
Performance Expectations

We believe attorneys perform best when expectations are clear. Attorneys in this position are expected to:

• Maintain at least 30 productive hours per week and 1,440 productive hours annually, based on a 48-week year.
• Maintain 100% compliance with court deadlines, client commitments, and Clio deadlines.
• Complete at least 95% of assigned case-management tasks on time.
• Keep case notes accurate and current.
• Communicate consistently with clients and document substantive communications.
• Manage client expectations and move cases forward efficiently.
• Secure at least 10 positive five-star client reviews annually.
• Generate at least four retained cases annually through professional relationships, marketing, or referrals.
• Participate in or lead at least one legal education session annually.
• Contribute to law clerk onboarding or mentorship when appropriate to experience.

Salary Description

105,000.00 - 125,000.00