Closing Date: 28th August, 2026
Description:
Objectives Summary:*This posting will be used to fill 2 externship openings.**
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 a compensated fall externship. 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 fall externship program runs from September through December. 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:
- Alamogordo
- Albuquerque
- Aztec
- Carlsbad
- Hobbs
- Las Cruces
- Roswell
- Ruidoso
- Santa Fe
Law students are paired with senior attorneys experienced in training new attorneys on court procedures and local practices. Law students are expected to perform 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 minimum of 4 weeks and up to a maximum of 8 weeks.
See chart below for the fall externship pay:
For more information, go here (https://www.lopdnm.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Externship-Job-shadowing-.pdf) (Download PDF reader) (https://get.adobe.com/reader/) (Download PDF reader). (https://get.adobe.com/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.
Employment eligibility to work with the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
Collective Bargaining: This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
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.
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.
Employment eligibility to work with the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
Collective Bargaining: This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
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.