MEET A NDAA MEMBER.

JASON KALISH

Division Chief, Community Based Prosecution--Maricopa County Attorney's Office (Phoenix, Arizona)

Job Responsibilities

I oversee the Community Based Prosecution West Division. We prosecute general felonies and misdemeanors that occur on the westside of Phoenix, or in other cities on the westside of Maricopa County, such as Glendale, Peoria and Surprise. We work to develop partnerships with community organizations and law enforcement to better fight crime. We have five bureaus within the division and I am responsible for over 50 attorneys, 15 paralegals and over 20 administrative professionals.

Qualifications

University of Arizona--College of Law Tucson, Arizona

Juris Doctorate--1997

Graduated Magna Cum Laude

Arizona Law Review, Third Year Writer;

National Moot Court Team, Member 1996-97;

Tutorial Instructor, Minority Law Students

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana, Pennsylvania

B.A., Criminology--1993

Graduated Summa Cum Laude

Professional Memberships and Activities

Arizona Forensic Science Academy Board Member

What You Do Matters; Lessons from the Holocaust--Certified Instructor

I love teaching, and have taught extensively to law enforcement and prosecutors throughout Arizona, in several other states and for multiple national organizations, including NDAA.

I serve on numerous committees in Maricopa County both within the County Attorney's office and in conjunction with the court and law enforcement.

(1) What was the most unusual or interesting job you've ever had?

Before I went to law school, I was a basketball referee for leagues ranging from kindergartners, boys and girls clubs up to lawyer leagues. Trust me, you never want to officiate a lawyer league sporting event.

(2) What is your favorite part about working as a prosecutor or for your office?

While it might sound trite, my favorite part is the people. We have such outstanding, dedicated people in our office. Many of the attorneys who work in my division I've known since they were interns in our office. I enjoy seeing their development and growth.

I also love how dedicated the office is to doing the right thing. I know that if I ever have a case that needs to be dismissed or never filed in the first place the office will support that. While this job can be extremely demanding for multiple reasons, every night I get to go home knowing I've done the right thing.

(3) What do you like most about being an NDAA member?

Meeting prosecutors from other jurisdictions. We...