Public Defender 4 (33230)

About the role

Provide professional legal services for the Law Offices of the Public Defender representing juvenile and adult indigent clients in litigation, appeal, counsel, research, and analysis. Positions at this level handle felony cases such as burglaries, drug crimes, property crimes, and probation violations with limited supervision, and may handle more complex felonies with guidance from a higher-level attorney or managing attorney. The role includes appellate caseload responsibility: preparing appellate briefs and arguing cases before the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court with some direction. Provides guidance and advice to lower-level attorneys, works independently to recognize and resolve complex caseload issues, and maintains professional skills through seminars, training, and current legal literature. Drafts, reviews, proposes, and prepares reports and legal documents.

For questions, contact hiring Managing Attorney Julpa Davé at Julpa.dave@lopdnm.us.

Pay

Average PD4 Pay: $53.89/hour ($112,091.20 annually).

Responsibilities

• Handle felony cases (burglaries, drug crimes, property crimes, probation violations) with limited supervision
• Handle more complex felonies with guidance/direction from a higher-level attorney or managing attorney
• Manage an appellate caseload: prepare appellate briefs and argue cases before the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court with some direction
• Provide guidance and advice to lower-level attorneys
• Work independently to recognize and resolve complex issues related to the caseload
• Attend seminars, training classes, and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge
• Draft, review, propose, and prepare reports and legal documents
• Perform related and other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Sufficient knowledge and/or experience to handle an appellate caseload
• Knowledge and experience to prepare appellate briefs and argue cases before the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court
• Ability to work independently and recognize/resolve complex caseload issues
• Competence across all classification levels PD2 through PD4 (may be required to perform duties of a lower classification without additional compensation)