Objectives Summary

The New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) offers PAID externships which are available to law students entering their 2L or 3L years. The program is a competitive recruitment program for compensated spring and summer externships. Law students who participate will benefit from an exceptional legal experience and invaluable exposure to trial work and the ability to work directly with clients. The summer externship program runs from May through August and the spring externship runs from January to May. If you are interested in the spring externship or both time frames please discuss this during your interview. Externs are offered the opportunity to work directly with attorneys on felony, misdemeanor and juvenile cases. This paid externship will be offered in the following LOPD offices:

Law students are paired with senior attorneys experienced in training new attorneys on court procedures and local practices. Law students are expected to perform more complex technical legal work, prepare documents, correspondence, take statements of witness, and assist the senior attorney in preparation of the facts and legal references for use in litigation. 

The payment for participation in this program will be through a one-time stipend and based on total hours worked (full time/part time status) for approximately 8 weeks or part time for up to 12 weeks.

See charts below for the spring and summer externship pay:

For more information, go here (Download PDF reader).

Essential Functions

Law students participating in this externship may be able to address the judge and speak on behalf of clients by entering their appearance in court hearings, including bond arraignments, conditions of release and motion hearings, trials, and plea and sentencing hearings. In order for a student to enter an appearance, they must meet minimum requirements established in local rules. All law students attending an American Bar Association accredited law school must have received a passing grade in law school courses aggregating thirty (30) or more semester hours, shall be familiar with the Rules of Professional Conduct, and obtain a certificate from their dean which specifies the time frame the student will be participating in the internship. All students interested must review NMRA Rule 5-110.1 and Rule 1-094.1.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be currently enrolled in Law School.        

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's License.

Collective Bargaining: This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Default FLSA: Non-exempt

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.

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