To honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we would like to highlight an employee that makes a difference in and out of the office. Legal Support Supervisor Jolie Panyon is an outstanding member of our MCAO team. In addition to her work ethic, Jolie is known for her dedication to community service leading multiple fundraising and volunteering opportunities throughout the year. Jolie is always one of the first employees to selflessly volunteer her time for outreach events, all while wearing a smile on her face.
When Jolie first started with us nearly 29 years ago, she admitted she was initially looking for a full-time position with excellent benefits. “When I started, I never imagined that this would become a career – in October, I will celebrate my 29th year at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.”
Jolie appreciates that her daily schedule varies, dubbing each day a new adventure. Whether it's drafting and filing motions, answering phones, or running things to court, each day brings opportunities to interact with coworkers, law enforcement, witnesses, and management. “I can honestly say I enjoy coming to work. It sounds cliché, but you can ask anyone, and they would agree. I love the people, and I love helping others."
Like many others in the public sector, Jolie finds her line of work to be rewarding and finds it to be so much more than regular office work. “Our bureau works as a team to support the Deputy County Attorneys. They work hard to prosecute the cases, and we work hard to make sure things are getting done behind the scenes. I believe that as a team we make the community a safer place. At the end of the day, you feel good knowing that your work is part of a bigger picture that ensures justice for everyone in the community.”
One of Jolie’s favorite aspects of the job is that there is always something new to learn. From her start as a Clerk working in Records to landing her current position in the Capital Litigation Bureau, Jolie has grown every step of the way and learned everything from extraditions to appeals. Even as a veteran employee, Jolie continues to learn and relies on her colleagues for assistance.
In 2021 Jolie was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Association. In her nomination letter, Jolie is described as a difference-maker, a team player, an exceptional supervisor, and someone who never hesitates to go the extra mile.
This is all evident in Jolie’s efforts to support the community. Every year, Jolie coordinates fundraising for the Arizona Special Olympics and consistently helps MCAO be among the top law enforcement agencies that contribute to the Special Olympics Torch Run. In her spare time, Jolie also enjoys being a part of another team: the Dragon Boat Team, which you might be able to catch practicing out on Tempe Town Lake.
The County Attorney’s Office is fortunate to have an employee as exceptional as Jolie. We thank her for her hard work and willingness to help the community whenever she can!