Objectives Summary

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.

To direct and supervise a unit or an office of the Law Offices of the Public Defender in providing professional level 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.

Essential Functions

Managing Attorney:

• Manage attorneys in a unit or manage a legal program
• Manages, trains, develops, mentors and conducts performance evaluations of assigned attorney resources.
• Manages financial resources of the unit.
• Provides key input into the development of policies and procedures for the assigned organization unit and/or program.
• Oversees workflow and work assignments.
• Maintain adequate staffing levels by closely reviewing all requests for leave, and requesting posting of vacant positions through executive management.
• Provides key input into the development of policies and procedures for the assigned organization unit and/or program.
• Provide input to the performance review and development of Attorneys at lower levels
• Provide corrective action and or directives when necessary to include but not limited to progressive disciplinary action.
• Conducts legal research/analysis of laws, precedents, legal issues, procedural rules, in preparation of cases.
• Reviews and investigates client cases to determine legal position and propose legal strategy.
• Prepares for litigation and appeal through initiation of legal documents, review of case information, obtaining evidence, conducting interviews, preparation of witnesses to testify.
• Researches changes in laws, legislation, rules court decisions, case precedents, to determine/ anticipate legal problems and propose resolutions.
• Counsels and advises clients on cases such as pleadings, arraignments, trials, appeals.
• Explains, interprets and keeps client informed on changes in law, court decisions, legal issues and problems.
• Attends seminars, training classes and reviews current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skill and knowledge.
• Conducts plea bargaining with District Attorneys and other parties to establish agreements to resolve cases.
• Depending on location: may assist with (CLIP) program or coordinate volunteer/intern/extern programs.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Note: An employee with this classification may be required to perform at a PD5 level or duties of a lower classification without additional compensation. Employee will be required to show competence in all levels PD2 through PD5.

Minimum Qualifications

Current license as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for limited license issued by New Mexico Supreme Court and six (6) years of criminal law experience and/or management experience in a legal environment.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License.

Collective Bargaining: This position may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.

Default FLSA: Exempt

Geographic Pay Differential: This position may qualify for Geographic Pay Differential. Please refer to the LOPD website (Download PDF reader), Geographic Differential, for more information.

The Law Offices of the Public Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis on 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.

This job advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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