Why Ryan?

Hybrid Work Options

Award-Winning Culture

Generous Personal Time Off (PTO) Benefits

14-Weeks of 100% Paid Leave for New Parents (Adoption Included)

Monthly Gym Membership Reimbursement OR Gym Equipment Reimbursement

Benefits Eligibility Effective Day One

401K with Employer Match

Tuition Reimbursement After One Year of Service

Fertility Assistance Program

Four-Week Company-Paid Sabbatical Eligibility After Five Years of Service

This position involves the employment of a Law Clerk with the expectation that the employee will pass the Arizona Bar Exam and continue their employment as an Associate Attorney. Ryan Legal Services is an Arizona alternative business structure law firm that focuses on Arizona tax controversy and litigation. The Law Clerk will learn all aspects of representing clients in the property tax, transaction tax, and income tax domains.

Employment in this position would be part-time (less than 15 hours) during the spring semester accommodating full-time law school study. Time off will be given to study for the bar exam. Expectations are that the Law Clerk will be in training for a first-year Associate Attorney position. The Law Clerk’s initial training and responsibilities will focus on assisting the law firm with intake of legal matters, preparing engagement forms, communicating with clients, and following case management processes. During certain times of the year, the Law Clerk will receive training in preparing files for tax hearings, attending tax hearings, and advocating taxpayer positions at tax hearings. A successful Law Clerk will exude strong, communication, research, and analytical skills, and will be a team player with attention to detail.

Previous tax experience is a bonus but not required. We understand the ideal candidate may not have previous tax experience. Regardless of a candidate’s experience in tax, in depth training will be required. We are looking for a candidate that understands business and the role that tax plays in impacting the economic success of a company. Therefore, we encourage candidates with a business background, but little or no tax experience, to consider this position.

To meet our expectations as a first-year Associate Attorney, the Law Clerk should excel at learning the fundamentals of tax law and show an interest in continuing a successful career in the field of tax litigation. Two attorneys will be training and mentoring the Law Clerk who each have over 30 years tax experience. Therefore, this position represents an opportunity to start on the ground floor with a boutique tax law firm that has a substantial client base. This position will require a commitment to live in the Phoenix area and obtain an Arizona law license.

Duties and responsibilities, as they align to Ryan Legal Service’s Key Results:

Strong writing skills.Strong analytical skills.Strong research skills.Ability to think on your feet and respond to questions.Contribute to and promote a positive work environment and team experience.Interface directly with government vendors, and internal clients.Assist in managing an active litigation docket of tax cases.Assist attorneys and third-party attorneys in daily litigation including scheduling mediations and settlement conferences.Act as a liaison between the firm’s clients and third-party attorneys to provide status updates on properties and to obtain documentation needed for discovery.

Client:

Provide support to attorneys and third-party attorneys, involving such activities as organizing and maintaining files; and preparing communications and filings.Draft pleadings, motions, and discovery under the supervision of an attorney.Communicate clearly and concisely with team members, clients, opposing counsel, and court personnel regarding a wide range of administrative and litigation matters.Provide a positive, supportive, team-oriented work environment including various miscellaneous functions, such as open and distribute mail, screen calls, schedule appointments, and arrange meetings and conferences.Work collaboratively with others to enhance staff resources.

Value:

Possess strong organization, effectively prioritize and manage multiple projects and work in a fast-paced environment.Assist with coordinating the flow of legal documents for prompt and correct disposition.Assist with developing and implementing processes for the efficient management of matters.Assist with managing outside counsel, via e-billing tools for budgeting and payments.Establish and maintain confidential legal files and record systems, and official documents.Calculate figures and amounts, define and solve problems, collects data, establishes facts independently, with accuracy and attention to detail.Observe and maintain confidentiality of Firm matters.Complete special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree, preferably with a business background.  Two years of law school completed with good standing.  Planned graduation from law school in the spring of 2025.  Planned preparation to take the Arizona Bar Exam in the summer of 2025. 

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, Zoom and Internet navigation/research. In addition, this position requires advanced experience with Workday.

Certificates and Licenses:

Valid driver’s license required. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This role has no direct reports.

Work Environment:

Standard indoor working environment.50% in our Scottsdale office and 50% remote.Ability to drive short distances to hearings and court.Occasional long periods of sitting while working at computer.Position requires regular interaction with employees at all levels of the Firm in person and via e-mail and telephone.Position requires regular interaction with clients and interface with external vendors in person and via e-mail and telephone.Independent travel requirement: less than 10%.

Equal Opportunity Employer: disability/veteran