Limited Practitioner

Law Offices Of The Public Defender • Statewide (various locations), NM

13d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is designed to bridge the gap between graduating from law school and passing the bar exam. It allows the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) to offer employment to applicants before they graduate, providing law students with guaranteed employment after graduation and the LOPD with a dedicated employee for indigent defense. The role serves as a bridge period between law school graduation and being sworn in as a practicing attorney. As a government agency, the LOPD cannot hire individuals as attorneys until they are licensed by a state bar. Individuals offered this position are expected to join the LOPD team shortly after taking the bar exam for comprehensive training in criminal defense, local rules and practices, and the LOPD's approach to holistic representation. Upon being sworn in and demonstrating expected performance levels, limited practitioners will transition into a public defender attorney position, contingent on performance and position availability. Limited Practitioners are paid an hourly rate of $31.98, with an annual base salary of $66,518.00. The typical starting salary for a PD2 position is $37.7415 hourly, or $78,502.00 annually. This position aims to fill roles in LOPD offices across the state.

Requirements

• Completion of a minimum of at least two years in an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school.
• 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.
• A Current Resume
• A Cover Letter
• Current Transcripts

Nice To Haves

• Multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages may be given preference.

Responsibilities

• Assists attorneys in preparing legal documents, conducting legal research, and handling administrative tasks.
• May attend court hearings, trials, and client meetings to provide support to attorneys.
• Helps with case preparation, including reviewing discovery, drafting motions, and organizing case files.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree