Contract Counsel for Curry and Roosevelt Counties

The State of New Mexico is seeking a contract counsel to provide legal services in Curry and Roosevelt Counties. The contractor will represent indigent clients on behalf of the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) on misdemeanor, juvenile, and felony cases. The contractor must have the ability to meet the performance standards for criminal defense representation, including not having any suspensions or disciplinary action by any state bar association. The contractor must also have criminal law experience, including felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile experience, and must have good office organizational skills and a calendaring/docketing system. The contractor will advise clients of their rights, determine whether clients are competent to proceed to trial, and respond to information provided by clients. The contractor will also file motions and argue any motions to the court on any legal issues identified by the contractor. • The contract term is from March 15, 2026, to October 31, 2026 • The contractor must have the ability to meet with clients in a confidential setting to form an appropriate attorney-client relationship • The contractor must have the ability to zealously advocate for clients • The contractor must possess the knowledge of relevant law, courts, and rules • The contractor must provide a list of criminal defense trainings attended and the number of CLEs obtained in 2024 and 2025