Public Defender 5 (40350)

Law Offices Of The Public Defender • Albuquerque, NM

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The objective summary of this job classification is to provide professional legal services representing juvenile and adult indigent clients, handle highly complex appeals or serve as lead counsel for serious violent felony or appeals and other highly complex litigation cases. This position qualifies for an additional hourly pay differential of $0.76 hourly / $1,580.80 annually. Public Defender 5's are typically paid an hourly rate that ranges from $56.76 ($118,060.80 annually) to $70.58 ($146,806.40 annually). 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.

Requirements

• Current license as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for limited license issued by New Mexico Supreme Court
• Four (4) years of criminal law 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.
• Employee will be required to show competence in all levels PD2 through PD5.

Nice To Haves

• Multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages.

Responsibilities

• Handle all levels of criminal cases and legal matters including the most complex felonies, including high profile cases, such as capital cases.
• Handle an appellate caseload.
• Prepare appellate briefs and argue cases before the Court of Appeals and for Supreme Court.
• Provide supervision from a lead work perspective to attorneys at lower levels and conduct in-house training for attorneys.
• Train, coordinate and advise less experienced public defender attorneys to include co-counseling.
• Conduct legal research/analysis of laws, precedents, legal issues, procedural rules, in preparation of cases.
• Review and investigate client cases to determine legal position and propose legal strategy.
• Prepare for litigation and appeal through initiation of legal documents, review of case information, obtaining evidence, conducting interviews, preparation of witnesses to testify.
• Research changes in laws, legislation, rules court decisions, case precedents, to determine/ anticipate legal problems and propose resolutions.
• Draft/review, propose and prepare reports, memoranda in opposition, briefs, legal documents, motions, correspondence, and appeals for clients.
• Counsel and advise clients on cases such as pleadings, arraignments, trials, appeals.
• Represent the client in legal matters, such as motions, hearings, litigation and appeals.
• Explain, interpret and keep client informed on changes in law, court decisions, legal issues and problems.
• Attend seminars, training classes and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skill and knowledge.
• Conduct plea bargaining with District Attorneys and other parties to establish agreements to resolve cases.
• Follow through on case by ensuring client release, client payments.
• Perform related work as required.
• Depending on location: may assist with (CLIP) program or coordinate volunteer/intern/extern programs.

Benefits

• Flexible work opportunities, including teleworking (a.k.a. working from home)
• Work schedules outside the typical 8 am to 5 pm schedule.
• Additional hourly pay differential of $0.76 hourly / $1,580.80 annually.
• 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

What This Job Offers

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