Career Possibilities with the Arizona Supreme Court
A Look at the Arizona Supreme Court
A ‘court of last resort’, the Arizona Supreme Court is the state’s highest level of court. The court has complete jurisdiction over all actions and proceedings, and its legal jurisdiction is appellate only, meaning it hears appeals from superior courts, the tax court, and the Industrial Commission of Arizona. The Arizona Supreme Court also reviews advisory opinions submitted by the legislature and the Board on behalf of state agencies and county attorneys. A court of last resort is sometimes referred to as a ‘final court’, or a ‘court of appeals’, which are latter two being what they were originally called before being finally named the supreme court. In Arizona, the Arizona Supreme Court was first established in 1912, but prior to that was known as the ‘territorial court’ or also referred to as the ‘Arizona territorial supreme court’ . Another name used in more early days of the state was the ‘supreme court of Arizona and New Mexico’, since both the territory of Arizona and the territory of New Mexico were governed together. In fact, the Arizona Supreme Court still handles some direct appeals from the Court of Appeals. The reputation of the Arizona Supreme Court makes the term ‘court of last resort’ somewhat of a misnomer. The high caliber of the court means that litigants forego requesting a review. With a discretionary appeal process and the relatively low number of cases reviewed, the Arizona Supreme Court offers insightful legal discourse for the state’s supreme-court-like decisions. The state supreme court handles both civil and criminal cases that it finds critical under the Arizona Constitution of the highest concern. This means the court is allowed to choose any case it finds of sufficient impact. As such, the state supreme court has accepted more than 4,000 review petitions since 1976.
Positions with the Arizona Supreme Court
The Arizona Supreme Court employs an extensive staff of clerks, legal assistants, judges, administrative and support staff. These individuals are instrumental in ensuring the smooth operation of the court’s business and the effective administration of justice.
On a law clerk’s first day on the job, he/she is assigned a judicial mentor (a court of appeals or supreme court judge), who will lead him/her through the process of gathering information about the court and the judicial process. The clerk will then attend meetings and training sessions with other employees of the organization on a regular basis. Clerks provide administrative support to judges and justices, conducting seminars and informational meetings, and conducting research to enhance the efficiency of the court. The clerk may also be involved in assisting with various legal projects in the same fashion as an attorney. Legal assistants manage the processes and systems essential for the judicial staff to perform their duties, including research, training in computer software applications and organizing files and information. Administrative and support staff members are responsible for communication, office management and administrative logistics, performing many functions essential to the daily operations of the courthouse. Support staff assists the judges, executives, and legal staff of the court with day-to-day clerical tasks necessary for the long-term operation of the court. Seasoned support staff perform leadership and assistance roles in customer service, case processing, compliance with legislative mandates and special projects.
Requirements
A career with the Arizona Supreme Court typically requires applicants to have obtained a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, however, a doctoral level degree or higher in a relevant field is more desirable. The preferred fields of study may include law, public or business administration, accounting, human resources, public policy, or information technology. If candidates are applying for paralegal positions, it is often necessary for them to hold a paralegal certificate as well as an associated bachelor’s degree in a related discipline such as business or criminal justice. Some hiring boards will look for a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as law, criminal justice, social sciences, or business instead of a paralegal certificate. An interest in advocacy at the state level is an important quality that candidates should have, along with the ability to work cooperatively with elected officials, community leaders, and a variety of civil servants from different state agencies. Although many positions require only a bachelor’s degree in a recognized field of study, prospective employees are often considered first for positions in the Arizona Supreme Court if they possess a master’s degree in a relevant subject, such as criminal justice, social work, or a specialty such as forensic psychology, care and rehabilitation. For most entry level positions, special licensing, certification, or examination is not required. Candidates will however be required to pass state and federal criminal background checks and drug screening. Many positions involve running criminal or civil fingerprint checks through the Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS) as well as a civil background check through the FBI. Current Arizona Supreme Court staff who are applying for new positions within the agency are also evaluated on a range of criteria, including a positive employee record on disciplinary matters for the prior 12 months, a record of acceptable performance, and whether there is no gaps in employment of longer than 90 days without an accepted valid reason.
How to Apply
The application process for positions at the Arizona Supreme Court is a crucial step for candidates looking to join this esteemed judicial body. The Court’s website features a dedicated careers page that is continually updated with job postings for various Court positions. Both lawyers and non-lawyers can find exciting opportunities related to general counsel, case coordination, research assistance, and more.
To streamline the process, prospective applicants can upload their resume directly to the site. This eliminates the need to visit the Human Resources Department or mailing a physical copy . By providing resumes online, candidates can ensure that their qualifications are reviewed promptly, and all relevant contact information is readily available for the court to follow up with them if necessary.
While there are no additional forms required by the Arizona Supreme Court beyond the resume upload, it’s always a good idea to create a cover letter outlining your interest in working for the Court, as well as your relevant work and educational background.
Interviews will be conducted in Phoenix and will consist of panel interviews comprised of the judges and Chief Justice, similar to a job interview in a law firm. Candidates are advised to come prepared to answer questions from the panel, as well as to ask any questions they may have about the Court and the work that is expected of them.
Job Perks with the Arizona Supreme Court
Working at the Arizona Supreme Court offers a myriad of benefits and opportunities that go beyond just a government job with a steady salary. From educational benefits to modern-day perks, the Arizona Supreme Court is focused on attracting high-quality candidates committed to public service to make a difference within the community.
Arizona Supreme Court staff members are eligible for educational assistance to further their education and careers. Staff can receive reimbursement for tuition and fees on a variety of courses including correspondence courses, vocational programs, and workshops in occupational and technical subjects for skills necessary in their job as well as job-related courses for professional development.
Many people envision working for the government as making a bit less than they would have if they worked in the private sector—but not at the Arizona Supreme Court. Salaries for court staff are on par with or higher than those of many states across the U.S. These competitive salaries can make all the difference to those interested in a career as a law professional. According to Salary.com, the median salary for jobs in the legal category in Arizona is $83,000 per year—$2,000 more than what Arizona Supreme Court employees typically make.
Career advancements and job stability are another benefit of working for the Arizona Supreme Court. The court has a comprehensive new employee orientation program designed to set court staff up for success. Experts in Arizona Supreme Court rules and regulations lead the orientation, so everyone who starts with the court is given the same foundation to build from. The Arizona Supreme Court also encourages advancement and often promotes from within, allowing employees to stay with the state and the court long-term.
Lastly, the Arizona Supreme Court understands that our culture is changing, and while certain workplace perks are more important to some than others, these perks still matter. The Arizona Supreme Court offers a modern office environment, flexible schedules, and some work-from-home days. Arizona Supreme Court staff also enjoy health-care benefits like the state retirement system, paid sick time, paid vacation, and personal leave days. Ample holiday time helps to ensure staff have a life outside of work, too.
The Arizona Supreme Court is committed to providing a supportive work environment where employees feel empowered to do their best work while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Resources for Arizona Supreme Court Job Seekers
A multitude of existing resources are available for identifying potential career opportunities in Arizona’s legal community. Most self-published resources are specific to Arizona, whereas some others have statewide/federal or localized listings. Professional organizations and associations: the State Bar of Arizona is the premier professional association for lawyers in the state and its website has an "employers" link that lists specific job openings in legal offices with the principal "employers" being the present members of the Arizona judiciary. It also has a "legal employment services" link, which formerly included a listing for the Arizona Employment Specialists Group, but no longer is online. However, the scenarios mentioned above for directly contacting "employers" still apply to legal employment services. Job boards: the Arizona Legal Employment Committee maintains a webpage listing two types of online job boards pertinent to the legal industry: general job boards, such as Indeed . com, and legal-specific job boards, such as PayPal.com. The State Bar of Arizona also publishes the twice-monthly electronic Arizona Attorney Magazine, which frequently includes an "Attorneys on the Move" feature highlighting new hires amongst the state’s legal, legislative, and judicial hierarchy. Networking opportunities: the State Bar of Arizona provides a list of state and national legal associations, organizations, societies, and committees. Some legal vendors maintain job banks that may include free postings. Employment staffing agencies may have legal divisions. Although predicated on member availability, volunteering or participating in existing Arizona legal communities can be a way of getting to know potential employers. Additionally, the American Bar Association has a useful online resource page titled Job Search Resources for Lawyers.