Debt Defense Litigation Attorney

hrEdge•Albuquerque, NM

22d•$100,000•Remote

About The Position

Bernhardt Riley, Attorneys at Law is a boutique law firm serving clients throughout New Mexico in debt defense, real estate litigation, business litigation, and criminal defense. We combine personal care with efficient, strategic advocacy to protect our clients’ legal interests and help them resolve difficult problems. Bernhardt Riley is hiring a full-time Debt Defense Litigation Attorney to manage an active caseload of consumer debt lawsuits from initial appearance through resolution or trial. This is a fully remote role, although occasional in-person court appearances may be required. We are looking for an attorney who understands that effective debt defense requires more than processing cases. The right attorney can quickly evaluate a lawsuit, identify leverage, develop the appropriate defense and settlement strategy, and move the matter toward the best practical outcome for the client. This role also provides the opportunity to help strengthen and improve a growing practice area through better strategies, processes, technology, and team development.

Requirements

Active New Mexico Bar license in good standing.
Minimum three years of meaningful experience handling consumer debt litigation.
Experience must include substantive responsibility for cases—not solely hearing coverage.
Strong working knowledge of consumer debt litigation and applicable case law.
Strong understanding of the New Mexico Rules of Civil Procedure.
Experience drafting and arguing motions.
Experience handling written discovery and discovery disputes.
Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
Ability to independently evaluate cases and develop litigation strategies.
Ability to manage disputes through settlement, mediation, arbitration, or trial.
Strong client-facing communication skills.
Ability to effectively manage an active caseload in a remote environment.
Resourcefulness: You find answers, identify leverage, and figure out how to move difficult cases forward.
Judgment: You understand that the technically available legal option is not always the best practical strategy for the client.
Curiosity: You want to understand why something happened, look beyond the obvious issue, and recognize patterns across cases.
Ownership: You take responsibility for deadlines, strategy, communication, and outcomes rather than waiting for someone else to move the matter forward.
Decisiveness: You can evaluate imperfect information, develop a reasonable strategy, and act.
Client focus: You understand that clients often come to us anxious and uncertain, and that clear communication is an important part of excellent legal representation.
Adaptability: You are comfortable working in a firm that is actively adopting technology, automation, and new approaches to practicing law.

Nice To Haves

Bar licenses in multiple jurisdictions is preferred but not required.
Debt defense experience strongly preferred; substantial plaintiff-side consumer debt litigation experience will also be considered.

Responsibilities

Manage consumer debt defense matters from initial appearance through resolution, including cases involving credit cards, consumer loans, debt buyers, and other consumer debt claims.
Evaluate each case and develop a case-specific defense and resolution strategy.
Manage matters from Notice of Appearance and Answer through settlement, dismissal, summary judgment, mediation, or trial.
Identify procedural, evidentiary, standing, documentation, and other potential defenses.
Maintain proactive case timelines and ensure matters continue moving toward resolution.
Balance legal strategy with the client's goals, financial circumstances, risks, and practical realities.
Draft and respond to written discovery.
Analyze documents produced by plaintiffs and identify evidentiary or substantive weaknesses.
Prepare and argue motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, motions to compel, and other appropriate dispositive and non-dispositive motions.
Handle discovery disputes and related hearings.
Prepare for and conduct or defend depositions when appropriate.
Attend Zoom and remote hearings throughout New Mexico.
Attend in-person proceedings when necessary; coverage counsel may be utilized for certain routine appearances.
Prepare matters thoroughly for contested hearings and trial.
Organize evidence, witnesses, exhibits, legal arguments, and trial strategy.
Comfortably advocate for clients before judges and opposing counsel.
Evaluate settlement opportunities throughout the litigation process.
Negotiate strategically with opposing counsel.
Provide clients with clear recommendations regarding litigation risk, settlement options, and next steps.
Resolve matters through dismissal, settlement, mediation, arbitration, judgment, or trial as appropriate.
Communicate clearly and consistently with clients.
Explain litigation strategy and options in understandable terms.
Set realistic expectations while giving clients confidence that their matter is being actively managed.
Provide practical recommendations rather than simply presenting legal analysis.
Work closely with legal assistants, paralegals, and other attorneys within the Debt Defense Division.
Provide direction and guidance regarding case strategy and litigation priorities.
Help develop team members and improve consistency across the practice.
Collaborate effectively within a remote environment.
Continuously improve legal strategies, templates, workflows, and internal processes.
Utilize legal technology, AI, and automation tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency.
Identify recurring patterns across cases that can strengthen future defense strategies.
Contribute ideas that improve client experience, case outcomes, and division performance.

Benefits

Competitive salary of $100,000+ DOE
401(k) with firm matching
Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
Paid holidays, including an additional firm-designated holiday
Paid vacation, sick, and personal time
Half-day Fridays for Division Leads and employees who have been with the firm for more than two years, subject to litigation demands, court deadlines, and client needs
Gym membership reimbursement/stipend
Annual bonus opportunities
Professional development support, including CLEs, training, and leadership growth
Fully remote work environment