Paralegal - Aztec, NM

New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender; Carlsbad (NM); On-site; USD 50,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

The New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender is hiring a Paralegal II to support attorneys in the 11th Judicial District. The position involves legal research, drafting of court documents, case management, and coordination with courts, prosecutors, law enforcement, and clients.

Key responsibilities include researching statutes and case law, drafting motions and pleadings, maintaining case files, and serving as a liaison with court staff. A background check may be required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with four years of legal drafting, research, and case management experience.
• Valid driver's license; authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship not available.
• Preference for multilingual applicants.
• Posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Responsibilities

• Research statutes, case law, legal articles, and codes to support case preparation and defense strategy.
• Draft motions, pleadings, correspondence, docketing statements, and other legal documents.
• Maintain case management and tracking systems and keep accurate case files.
• Serve as a primary contact with court staff, district attorneys, and law enforcement.
• Assist with client interviews and convey information about case status and the legal process.
• Prepare trial notebooks, jury materials, court dockets, summonses, and indictments.
• Conduct eligibility and conflict checks and prepare probation violation materials.
• Schedule hearings and appointments, serve subpoenas, and support investigations and interviews.
• Provide work direction to lower-level staff as needed.
• Report to courthouses, detention centers, or other judicial partner locations as required. A third-party background check may be required.

Skills

Legal research

Legal drafting

Case management

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Salary: $49,899.20 – $86,070.40 annually

The Law Offices of the Public Defender is hiring a Paralegal 2 to support attorneys in the 11th Judicial District. The position involves legal research, drafting of court documents, case management, and coordination with courts, prosecutors, law enforcement, and clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Research statutes, case law, legal articles, and codes to support case preparation and defense strategy.
• Draft motions, pleadings, correspondence, docketing statements, and other legal documents.
• Maintain case management and tracking systems and keep accurate case files.
• Serve as a primary contact with court staff, district attorneys, and law enforcement.
• Assist with client interviews and convey information about case status and the legal process.
• Prepare trial notebooks, jury materials, court dockets, summonses, and indictments.
• Conduct eligibility and conflict checks and prepare probation violation materials.
• Schedule hearings and appointments, serve subpoenas, and support investigations and interviews.
• Provide work direction to lower-level staff as needed.
• Report to courthouses, detention centers, or other judicial partner locations as required. A third-party background check may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED and four years of experience drafting legal correspondence, conducting legal research, and maintaining case management systems. A combination of related education from an accredited college or university and relevant experience totaling four years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Valid driver’s license required. Must be authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available. This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The classification is non-exempt under the FLSA; overtime is compensated with compensatory time at a 1.5x rate subject to supervisory approval.

Preference may be given to multilingual applicants. This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

• The Law Offices of the Public Defender is an equal opportunity employer.