Did you become a lawyer to help people? Does the opportunity to improve the entire Arizona legal profession sound appealing? The Practice Management Attorney (PMA) at the State Bar of Arizona does both and so much more. You’ll be at the forefront of an ever-evolving profession by becoming a subject matter expert in the areas of practice management, legal technology, ethics, and trust accounting. The PMA shares that expertise with Arizona lawyers, legal paraprofessionals, and their staff through the Bar’s nationally acclaimed Practice 2.0 program, which includes phone helplines, continuing legal education courses, publications, and website content. This is a fast-paced, forward-facing position that the right candidate can use to build a foundation for becoming an agent of change in both our profession and the community.

To hear more about our mission, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTd_T8s6BNw

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
• 401(k) with employer match
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Quarterly wellness reimbursement for gym membership
• A community of friendly and collaborative co-workers

What we're looking for in a candidate:

• A dynamic communicator who is at home offering solutions on the phone and in the classroom
• A technically adept writer with a knack for simply explaining complicated ideas
• A confident networker who collaborates with the local and national legal community
• A self-starter with an eye for program growth opportunities

Required Education and/or Experience:

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Active member in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona. Extremely qualified candidates barred in another jurisdiction may be considered if eligible for admission by motion to the Arizona Bar
• Substantive experience in the practice of law. Experience as a solo practitioner or attorney in a small to midsized firm preferred

Sample Job Duties:

• Answer questions on the State Bar’s practice management and trust account phone helplines
• Conduct in-depth consultations with members of the Bar on topics like starting or closing a law firm, technology use, drafting representation agreements, and improving the client experience
• Provide staff expertise, including seminar ideas and the development of course content, on law office and practice management issues to the CLE department
• Develop ready-to-use resource packets and practice aids for the Practice 2.0 website
• Serve as liaison to section executive councils, Young Lawyer and Senior Lawyer Divisions, and other State Bar groups, committees and task forces
• Participate in national practice management groups and develop a network of colleagues for professional development purposes

Job Summary

Under minimal supervision, responsible for conducting evaluations and assessments for lawyers participating in probation or diversion, providing advice on law office management and trust accounting for State Bar members, working with the Lawyer Assistance Programs Director and Professional Development Coordinators to develop and teach continuing legal education programs focusing on practice management and practical skills, responding to calls on Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP) and Trust Account hotlines, and other duties as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Create and lead interactive sessions/continuing legal education program for Bar members about law office and practice management topics including launching and operating a law firm, law office procedures, risk assessment and trust account management.
• Conduct in-person assessments and formulate action plans/recommendations for lawyers referred by Lawyer Regulation, the Supreme Court or the Attorney Discipline Probable Cause Committee and in person, by telephone, or other electronic means for lawyers who voluntarily contact a LOMAP representative.
• Organize and attend networking and mentoring opportunities for Bar members to enhance professional development and communications with and among members.
• Communicate and interact with Bar members through the Bar website, appropriate social networking sites and in other media about practice issues, new developments and Bar resources; with Lawyer Assistance Program Director, update and develop content for LOMAP web page and Online Community microsite to increase law office and practice management information and technology resources for Bar members.
• Provide staff expertise, including seminar ideas and the development of course content, on law office and practice management issues to the CLE department.  Assist in preparing and conducting law office and practice management CLE courses, especially for solo and small firm practitioners.
• Prepares memoranda, correspondence, and reports, as required.
• Provides brief consultations by telephone or in-person on law office and practice management topics selected by attorney participants.
• Responsible for developing ready-to-mail resource packets and practice aids; maintaining an electronic management information database, including reviewing professional publications and obtaining reprint permission; and developing and maintaining a database of supplemental resources, such as consultants in areas outside LOMAP’s expertise.
• Stay current on practice management and ethical issues related to law practice management, including confidentiality of electronic information and communications, law office technology, client trust accounts, fees and billing, conflicts management, and other similar issues, particularly related to solo and small firm practitioners.
• Assists the Lawyer Assistance Programs Director with budget-related items for unit as needed.
• Performs all other related duties, as assigned.

Education and/or Experience Required

Must have J.D. from an ABA accredited law school.  Three to five years of experience in the practice of law preferably as a solo practitioner or with a small law firm. Experience in a law office and/or risk management, including trust and operating account administration, and knowledge of relevant technology.   

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 all aspects of office management practices and procedures.
• Excellent communication, both oral and written, skills.
• Exercise excellent judgment.
• 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.

Computer Skills

Microsoft windows environment with Office Suite to include formatting and production of documents.  Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.  Demonstrated knowledge of current law office technology and law office case management applications.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Required:

• Must have and maintain a valid Arizona Driver’s License, maintain automobile insurance coverage and have access to an automobile.
• Must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Arizona, or be eligible for admission on motion and gain admission within one year, and have no history of disciplinary sanction or participation in diversion program.  History of dismissed charges in Arizona or any other state may be considered in hiring decision.

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.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.  Other functions may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.