PHOENIX, AZ (March 30, 2011) – The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors today approved the creation of a new Civil Services Division within the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office by transferring to the County Attorney the resources and responsibilities of the County’s Special Litigation and General Counsel departments. The new division will represent the interests of the citizens of Maricopa County by providing legal advice and litigation support to the various boards, agencies and officials of County government.

“The return of these civil functions to the County Attorney’s Office marks another major milestone in the cooperative relationship that has developed among government entities that previously were at odds,” said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “With these important duties restored, we can now begin a new chapter dedicated to providing a full range of expert legal services to the citizens and governmental entities of Maricopa County,” he added.

“We will be well served by a civil division under Bill Montgomery’s leadership. He is a good, ethical man and we’re lucky to have him,” said Andy Kunasek, Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

The new Civil Services Division will be headed by experienced trial attorney Doug Irish, who currently serves as the County Attorney’s Special Assistant for Intergovernmental Relations and has an extensive background in law firm management. Internal recruitment will begin immediately to staff some ninety new positions within the Division. The Board of Supervisors also approved the expenditure of up to $575,000 in existing funds to cover the costs of the transition. The creation of the Civil Services Division will have a net zero impact on the overall County Budget.

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