Public Defender 3 (Remote Candidates) (10117150)

New Mexico State Personnel Office; Alamogordo (NM); Remote; USD 92,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

The Law Offices of the Public Defender in New Mexico seeks an experienced attorney for PD3 level assignments. You will handle felony probation violations, arraignments, conditions of release and evidentiary hearings, with occasional substantive motions in trial tracks.

A passionate litigator and excellent communicator is essential. The role includes representing clients in misdemeanors and lower felonies, mentoring junior staff, and drafting legal documents.

Qualifications

• Licensed attorney in New Mexico or eligible for limited license.
• Minimum 1 year of practicing attorney experience.
• Valid driver's license and employment eligibility in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in misdemeanor or low to medium felonies with limited supervision.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to junior attorneys and law clerks.
• Negotiate plea agreements with District Attorneys and others.
• Attend seminars and review literature to maintain professional skills.
• Draft and review reports and legal documents; meet with clients and file motions.

Skills

Litigation

Communication

Legal research

Education

Law degree

Job description

Pay Information

***This position qualifies for an additional hourly pay differential of $1.30 hourly / $2,704.00 annually.

Hourly pay differential reflect retention pay incentives, as applicable to the position advertised.***

Below is the average hourly rates of pay for current employees in public defender 3 job classifications, from lowest to highest.

Public Defender 3: Average pay ranges from $44.25/Hourly to $55.55/Hourly

Join us at LOPD and discover a place where your work matters, your expertise is valued, and your next adventure awaits.

Specific to this opening this position will be responsible for the following: felony probation violation adjudications, felony arraignments, conditions of release and evidentiary hearing arguments, hearings to determine whether there are conditions of release which can reasonably assure the safety of the community and individuals within the community (5-409 hearings), and occasional substantive motion writing for felony cases on a trial track (suppression motions). The right candidate should be an extremely passionate litigator and excellent communicator.

• 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: Exemp t:

(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.

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.