Managing Attorney (10101811)

Law Offices Of The Public Defender • Carlsbad, NM

3d

About The Position

The Managing Attorney directs and supervises a unit or office of the Law Offices of the Public Defender, providing professional legal services to juvenile and adult indigent clients. The role also handles highly complex appeals or serves as lead counsel in serious violent felony, appellate, and other highly complex litigation cases.

The Managing Attorney manages attorneys or a legal program, including staff development and performance evaluation, financial resources, workflow, work assignments, staffing, and input into policies and procedures. The position performs legal research and case analysis; investigates cases and develops legal strategies; prepares matters for litigation and appeal; advises and keeps clients informed; negotiates pleas; and maintains professional knowledge through training and legal literature. Depending on location, the role may assist with the CLIP program or coordinate volunteer, intern, or extern programs.

The position requires a current New Mexico attorney license or eligibility for a limited license, six years of criminal law and/or legal-environment management experience, and a valid New Mexico driver's license. The listed pay range is $63.63 to $69.82 per hour ($132,350.40 to $145,225.60 annually), with an additional hourly differential of $5.30 ($11,024 annually) for applicable geographic and retention incentives. Flexible work options, including teleworking and schedules outside the typical 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule, may be available and should be discussed with the hiring manager.

Requirements

• Current license as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court, or eligibility for a limited license issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court.
• Six years of criminal law experience and/or management experience in a legal environment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico driver's license.
• Must demonstrate competence in duties at all levels PD2 through PD5; may be required to perform at a PD5 level or perform duties of a lower classification without additional compensation.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise a unit or office providing legal services to juvenile and adult indigent clients.
• Handle highly complex appeals or serve as lead counsel for serious violent felony cases, appeals, and other highly complex litigation.
• Manage attorneys in a unit or manage a legal program.
• Train, develop, mentor, and conduct performance evaluations of assigned attorneys.
• Manage the unit's financial resources.
• Provide input into the development of policies and procedures for the assigned unit or program.
• Oversee workflow and work assignments.
• Review leave requests and request posting of vacant positions through executive management to maintain adequate staffing.
• Provide input to performance reviews and development of lower-level attorneys.
• Issue corrective actions or directives, including progressive discipline when necessary.
• Conduct legal research and analysis of laws, precedents, legal issues, and procedural rules.
• Review and investigate client cases to determine legal positions and propose strategies.
• Prepare cases for litigation and appeal by initiating legal documents, reviewing case information, obtaining evidence, interviewing people, and preparing witnesses.
• Research changes in laws, legislation, rules, court decisions, and case precedents to anticipate legal problems and propose resolutions.
• Counsel and advise clients regarding pleadings, arraignments, trials, and appeals.
• Explain and interpret legal developments and keep clients informed about changes in law, court decisions, legal issues, and problems.
• Attend seminars and training and review professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge.
• Conduct plea bargaining with District Attorneys and other parties to establish agreements to resolve cases.
• Depending on location, assist with the CLIP program or coordinate volunteer, intern, or extern programs.

Benefits

• Flexible work opportunities, including teleworking and work schedules outside the typical 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule.
• Additional hourly pay differential of $5.30, or $11,024 annually, when applicable to the position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed