Limited Practitioner

Nigel Wright Consultancy Ltd (UK); New Mexico; On-site; USD 74,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Law Offices of the Public Defender in New Mexico seeks a Limited Practitioner to bridge the gap between law school and bar admission. This role offers pre-graduation hires with training, eventual move to a Public Defender Attorney position, and a pathway to full credentialed practice.

The position requires ABA-accredited law school attendance (2 years minimum), admission to a state bar, and eligibility to work in the U.S. Visa sponsorship is not available; multilingual applicants are a plus.

Qualifications

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Completion of a minimum of two years in an ABA-accredited law school.
• Employment eligibility to work in the U.S. is required; visa sponsorship is not available.
• Preference may be given to multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys in preparing legal documents, conducting legal research, and handling administrative tasks.
• Attend court hearings, trials, and client meetings to support attorneys.
• Help with case preparation, including reviewing discovery, drafting motions, and organizing case files.
• Limited Practitioners may also accompany attorneys to court hearings and participate in training.
• Under supervision, compile and manage case materials and deadlines.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting motions

Case preparation

Court hearings

Education

ABA accredited law school (2 years)

Job description

Bridge the gap between graduating from law school and passing the bar. This position allows the LOPD to extend an offer to applicants prior to graduation from law school, which provides a law student the guarantee of employment after graduation and the LOPD the guarantee of an employee dedicated to indigent defense. The purpose of the limited practitioner position is to bridge the time from when a student graduates law school and is sworn in as a practicing attorney. Since the LOPD is a government agency, it is unable to hire an individual as an attorney unless they are sworn and licensed by a state bar. Individuals extended an offer are expected to join the LOPD team soon after taking the bar exam for extensive training on criminal defense, local rules and practices, and the LOPD's approach to providing holistic representation.

Once the limited practitioner is sworn in and performing at the expected level of practice, the limited practitioners will be moved into a public defender attorney position based on demonstrated performance and availability of positions.

Pay Information

Limited Practitioner's are paid $31.98 hourly/$6 5 18.00 annual base salary. The typical starting salary for a PD2 position is $37.7415 hourly/$78,502.00 annual base salary.

The position is designed to hire for positions in LOPD offices throughout the state.

Under the supervision and direction of an assigned licensed attorney a Limited Practitioner is expected to perform some or all of the duties outlined. Assists attorneys in preparing legal documents, conducting legal research, and handling administrative tasks. Limited Practitioners may also attend court hearings, trials, and client meetings to provide support to attorneys. They help with case preparation, including reviewing discovery, drafting motions, and organizing case files. Limited Practitioners are typically third year law students or recent law school graduates gaining practical experience.

Application Deadlines

• Fall graduates submit applications by October 25.
• Spring graduates submit applications by February 28.

Timeline for Interview Process

• September and October for fall and spring graduates. Fall graduates are encouraged to submit their applications at the beginning of their 3L year.
• February and March for spring graduates.
• Interviews may also be scheduled upon receipt of application.

Completion of a minimum of at least two years in an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school.

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's License.

Employment eligibility to work with the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Collective Bargaining: This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Default FLSA: Non-exempt

The Law Offices of the Public Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, spousal affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political affiliation or religion, mental or physical disability, or serious medical condition.

Preference may be given to multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages.

Application Materials Being Requested

1. A Current Resume
2. A Cover Letter
3. Current Transcripts

We encourage all applicants to consider working at any of our LOPD offices. Within the supplemental questions below you will be asked to select the locations/offices in which you are considering employment and ranking them.