Episode Summary: For the month of October, we are joined by our speakers from the Law Offices of the Public Defender to discuss what is unique for these attorneys and staff. In this episode, our speakers will be addressing the various areas of their experiences in the LOPD, why this area is so important to them, and what makes it truly stand out in the practice of law. This episode will cover: • What brought our speakers to the LOPD • Whom the LOPD serves • The challenges in the LOPD • How our speakers manage the workload and their personal needs
Chief Bennett Baur began his career as a trial attorney in the Albuquerque office of the public defender in 1993. After time as an assistant district attorney and nine years in private practice, he returned to the LOPD as the First Judicial District Defender. He has also served as deputy chief and interim chief for the department. Baur is a past president of the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and has advocated on criminal justice issues in the New Mexico legislature for over 20 years. He resides in Santa Fe.
Albuquerque District Defender Matt Chavez graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2012. His passion for public defense arose early in his studies, and he graduated directly to a position in the LOPD. He served as frontline misdemeanor attorney in Albuquerque before moving to Ruidoso to strengthen the rural LOPD public defense office there and in Alamogordo as District Defender. He now oversees the largest LOPD office.
Attorney Samuel Jay is a 2018 graduate of American University Washington College of Law. As an Oregon native, Jay moved to New Mexico directly out of law school to practice public defense, which he says is honor to practice. He serves as a felony attorney in the LOPD Albuquerque office.
Attorney Joy Applewhite graduated from American University Washington College of Law in 2021. She chose to start her public defense career in Hobbs, where she launched directly into court practice. She handles misdemeanor and felony cases, focusing her energy on holistic practices for her clients.
Maggie Shepard, Director of Communication at the New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender, has worked as a newspaper reporter and communication educator for more than 20 years. An Albuquerque native, Maggie joined the LOPD three years ago to help New Mexico’s communities understand that impact of the criminal court system and support the work of the state’s public defenders.
Disclaimer:
Thank you for listening! This episode was produced by the State Bar of New Mexico’s Well-Being Committee and the New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program. All editing and sound mixing was done by BlueSky eLearn. Intro music is by Gil Flores. The views of the presenters are that of their own and are not endorsed by the State Bar of New Mexico. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment or legal advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.