Public Defender 3 (10114928)

New Mexico State Personnel Office; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 87,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender in Albuquerque seeks attorneys to join the felony team and advocate for indigent clients. This role offers exposure to extensive courtroom and litigation work across juvenile and adult cases.

Qualified candidates are licensed in NM or eligible for a limited license, with at least one year of practice, and a valid driver’s license. A competitive hourly differential and a relocation-friendly environment are noted.

Qualifications

• Current licensure as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for limited license.
• One year of experience as a practicing attorney.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in misdemeanors, juvenile cases and low to medium level felonies with limited supervision.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to lower level Attorneys and Law Clerks.
• Conduct plea bargaining with District Attorneys and other parties to resolve cases.
• Attend seminars and training to maintain and develop legal skills.
• Draft/review reports and legal documents.
• Meet with clients, file and argue motions, interview witnesses, proceed to trial and file necessary appeals.
• Analyze probable outcomes of cases to decide on plea or trial.
• Appellate Division reviews records and researches to support arguments of errors.

Skills

Courtroom experience

Litigation

Appeals

Legal research

Indigent defense

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Bar admission in NM

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 $0.76 hourly / $1,580.80 annually.

Hourly pay differential reflects a retention pay incentive, as applicable to the position advertised.***

Our department offers flexible work opportunities, including teleworking (a.k.a. working from home) and work schedules outside the typical 8 am to 5 pm schedule. Applicants selected for a position are encouraged to discuss these options with the hiring manager early in the hiring process to ensure the specifics of any terms and conditions of an approved flexible work arrangement are clearly understood.

Do you have what it takes to be a Public Defender?

Are you motivated by a desire to help those who society has largely abandoned? Do you enjoy the role of advocating for the underdog?

The New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender is excited to announce opportunities to join our team and be on the front lines of criminal justice reform!

We are growing our Albuquerque Felony team and have multiple job opportunities in this beautiful city.

Why consider moving to Albuquerque? How about the beautiful landscape and 310 days of sunshine each year! Moving here means getting four seasons!

Living in Albuquerque means beautiful sunsets, stunning lights and scenic landscaping.

Lots of yearly festivals and cultural events such as the world’s largest International Balloon Fiesta held every October, the New Mexico State Fair in September, and the San Felipe Fiesta held in Old Town every year in late spring.

And let’s not forget about the Albuquerque hot spots like Old Town, Downtown, Westside, Balloon Fiesta Park, the Sandia Peak Tramway!

Sparked your interest yet?

If you'd like to learn more about living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, click here:

Here’s what the New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender is looking for:

Attorneys that are committed to advocating on behalf of indigent clients.

Attorneys interested in positively impacting the lives of clients through holistic representation.

Attorneys that have the ability to stand up for a client, and stand up to “the system.”

Attorneys who are excited about the opportunity to gain vast amounts of courtroom and litigation experience, familiarity with state statutes and working knowledge of the rules of evidence and trial practice.

Public Defender 3

Average PD3 Pay: $42.04/hour $87,443.20/annually

If you have any questions, you can contact hiring Managing Attorney Julpa Davé at [e-mail]

• 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. 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.