Civil
Mission Statement: A dynamic legal team representing Arizona with integrity, dedication and innovation.
The Civil Division consists of eight distinct sections that handle a wide variety of cases and issues: Education and Health, Employment Law, Liability Management, Licensing and Enforcement, Natural Resources, Tax, Bankruptcy & Collection and Transportation. In addition, our Senior Litigation attorneys handle complex litigation throughout the Division and the Office.
Education and Health Section (EHS)
The Education and Health Section includes the Education Unit and the Health Services Unit. The section provides legal services to the Department of Health Services (including the Arizona State Hospital, the Division of Behavioral Health Services, and the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services), Department of Education, School Facilities Board, Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind, and the Charter School Board.
The Employment Law Section provides employment law advice to State agencies and represents the State in employee appeals from personnel actions. ELS also defends the State, its agencies and employees in employment lawsuits brought by current, former or prospective employees. The State and Risk Management are also represented by ELS in contested workers’ compensation cases.
Liability Management Section (LMS)
The Liability Management Section represents the State in Risk Management covered lawsuits alleging liability for personal injuries, property damage and constitutional law violations.
Licensing and Enforcement Section (LES)
The Licensing and Enforcement Section provides legal services to 43 State agencies, boards and commissions, most of which regulate professions, occupations or businesses. The Section provides legal advice to client agencies regarding their statutes and rules, as well as open meetings, public records and employment law issues. In addition, the Section provides litigation services by prosecuting administrative hearings against licenses and defending appeals of agency actions in Superior Court. The agencies represented by the Section include the Accountancy Board, Arizona Medical Board, Dental Board, Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, Nursing Board, Racing Department and the Registrar of Contractors.
Natural Resources Section (NRS)
The Natural Resources Section assists client agencies in managing, enhancing and protecting Arizona's abundant natural resources. This section's expertise is in land, water and other natural resources law.
Tax, Bankruptcy & Collection Section (TBC)
The Tax, Bankruptcy and Collection Section is made up of three units. The Tax Unit represents the Arizona Department of Revenue and the Department of Transportation in property tax, income tax, transaction privilege (sales) and use tax, and fuel tax matters. The Bankruptcy and State Court Collections Units, while separate, represent the State of Arizona and more than 60 State agencies, boards, commissions and universities, collecting debts owed to the State. During the last five years the Bankruptcy and Collection Units have collected more than $60 million.
The Transportation Section represents the Arizona Department of Transportation in the areas of eminent domain litigation, property damage claims, construction contracts, procurement contracts, vehicle license suspensions, driver’s license revocations and appeals, and personnel matters. This section also represents the Arizona Department of Public Safety.