Public Defender 3 (10109441)

New Mexico State Personnel Office; Ruidoso (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Law Offices of the Public Defender in New Mexico seeks an attorney to provide legal representation for indigent clients in juvenile and adult cases, including litigation, appeals, counsel, research and analysis. The role entails trial preparation, plea negotiations, and advisory duties under supervision.

Current NM Supreme Court licensure or eligibility for limited license is required, plus one year of practicing attorney experience and a valid driver's license.

Qualifications

• Current licensure as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for limited license issued by New Mexico Supreme Court.
• One (1) year of experience as a practicing attorney.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in misdemeanors or juvenile cases and low to medium level felonies with limited supervision.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to lower level Attorneys and Law Clerks.
• Perform plea bargaining with District Attorneys and other parties to resolve cases when appropriate.
• Attend seminars, training classes and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills.
• Draft, review, and prepare reports and legal documents.
• Meet with clients, file and argue motions, investigate cases, interview witnesses, proceed to trial and file any necessary appeals.
• Analyze probable outcomes of cases to determine whether a client should enter a plea or go to trial.
• Interview clients and review records to support arguments in appellate contexts.
• Perform related and other duties as assigned.

Job description

The objective summary of this job classification is to provide professional legal services for the Law Offices of the Public Defender in representing juvenile and adult indigent clients in areas of litigation, appeal, counsel, research and analysis.

Pay Information

***This position qualifies for an additional hourly pay differential of $5.05 hourly / $10,504 annually.

Hourly pay differential reflects geographical and retention pay incentives, as applicable to the position advertised.

For more information about living in Ruidoso, New Mexico, click here.

• Attorneys at this level should be able to represent clients in all misdemeanors or juvenile cases and low to medium level felonies with limited supervision.
• Provides guidance and mentoring to lower levels Attorneys and Law Clerks.
• Works under the direction and guidance provided by higher level Attorneys and/or Managing Attorney.
• Will conduct plea bargaining when appropriate with District Attorneys and other parties to establish agreements to resolve cases.
• Will attend seminars, training classes and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge.
• Drafts/reviews, proposes and prepares reports and legal documents.
• Meet with clients, file and argue motions, investigate cases, interview witnesses, proceed to trial and file any necessary appeals.
• Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge derived from investigation and case law to determine whether a client should enter into a plea or go to trial.
• The Appellate Division attorneys of this level interview clients and trial counsel, reviews the record and researches to support arguments that errors have been made by the lower courts.
• Performs related and other duties as assigned.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Note: An Employee with this classification may be required to perform at a PD3 level or duties of a lower classification without additional compensation. Employee will be required to show competence in all levels PD2 through PD3.

Current licensure as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for limited license issued by New Mexico Supreme Court and one (1) year of experience as a practicing attorney.

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 covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.

Default FLSA: Exempt (including Managers/Supervisors, Executive, Administrative, Professional Exempt Status): In accordance with DOL FLSA and LOPD NMAC and LOPD’s Compensation Agreement that is signed upon hire during onboarding, classifications identified as Exempt may be compensated for all authorized hours worked over 80 hours in a pay period. These classifications are eligible for compensatory time (paid time off accrued) at an even (1:1) rate if they request to work extra hours in advance and get approval from their supervisor. These classifications are not eligible for cash payments for extra hours worked. Compensatory time may be paid-out upon leaving the department depending on budget availability.

Geographic Pay Differential: This position may qualify for Geographic Pay Differential. Please refer to the LOPD website, Geographic Differential, for more information.

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.

This job advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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