Leadership Criminal Defense Attorney (CDA) - Supervising Attorney or Managing Attorney (10101811)

This position offers a valuable opportunity to lead the Carlsbad office, where you will be instrumental in representing clients and overseeing the operations in southern NM. The role may come with a recruitment and retention bonus ranging from $10,000 to $15,000, depending on the terms and structure of the contract with LOPD. The Carlsbad office boasts a collaborative team of 12 individuals, including 4 attorneys, and 8 core staff, all dedicated to delivering exceptional service. For more detailed information about the position and insights into living in Carlsbad, please refer to the link  provided.

***This position qualifies for an additional hourly pay differential of $5.05 hourly / $10,504.00 annually. 

Hourly pay differential reflects geographical and retention pay incentives, as applicable to the position advertised.***

Supervising Attorney:

• Positions at this level provide supervision to attorneys at lower levels and conduct in-house training for attorneys.
• May oversee workflow and work assignments of subordinate staff.
• Maintain adequate staffing levels by closely reviewing all requests for leave.
• Provides guidance and mentoring to lower levels Attorneys and Law Clerks.
• Provide corrective action and/or directives when necessary to include but not limited to progressive disciplinary action.
• Provide reports and updates to management
• Assist in hiring new employees for the division or unit.
• Provide input to the performance review and development of attorneys at lower levels
• Incumbents in position at this level are recognized as an expert in one or more areas of criminal law.
• Positions at this level handle a variety of cases including second-degree felony cases such as violent crimes, burglaries, drug crimes, property crimes and probation violations with limited supervision.
• May handle more complex level felonies, or first-degree cases with some guidance/direction from a higher-level attorney/managing attorney.
• Works independently and is able to recognize and resolve complex issues related to the caseload.
• Will attend seminars, training classes and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge.
• Drafts/reviews, proposes and prepares reports and legal documents.
• Performs related and other duties as assigned.

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.Supervising Attorney:

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

Default FLSA: Exempt

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.

Salary : $88,358 - $162,469