The Attorney General's Office announced it has hired current Phoenix City Councilman Greg Stanton to help the office minimize budget cuts and develop policy priorities.

Stanton said he will finish the final year of his term with the City Council to cast votes on Phoenix's proposed budget and that he expects to join the Attorney General's Office in February.

The councilman said he already had filed statements of intent to campaign again for the council, but instead chose to help Goddard.

"I wouldn't do it if it wasn't Terry Goddard," he said. "It's a vote of confidence."

Goddard cited Stanton's experience in education and employment law as reasons for his hiring, and added the attorney will help coordinate the handling high-profile cases such as the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case regarding school funding for English language learners.

Stanton, who will serve as deputy attorney general for legislation, policy, and strategic planning, will also become a presence at the Legislature to help the office avoid financial cuts that will damage its law enforcement capabilities, he said.

The councilman will replace exiting deputy David Gass, who has been appointed to serve as a judge with the Maricopa County Superior Court.