Debt Defense Litigation Attorney - Remote
Budget / Salary$100,000–100,000
TypeFull-time job
LocationUnited States
Posted2 hours ago
Bernhardt Riley, Attorneys at Lawis a boutique law firm serving clients throughout New Mexico in debt defense, real estate litigation, business litigation, and criminal defense. We combine personal care with efficient, strategic advocacy to protect our clients’ legal interests and help them resolve difficult problems.
Bernhardt Riley is hiring a full-timeDebt Defense Litigation Attorneyto manage an active caseload of consumer debt lawsuits from initial appearance through resolution or trial. This is a fully remote role, although occasional in-person court appearances may be required.
We are looking for an attorney who understands that effective debt defense requires more than processing cases. The right attorney can quickly evaluate a lawsuit, identify leverage, develop the appropriate defense and settlement strategy, and move the matter toward the best practical outcome for the client.
This role also provides the opportunity to help strengthen and improve a growing practice area through better strategies, processes, technology, and team development.
Compensation: $100,000+/year DOE
Bar licenses in multiple jurisdictions is preferred but not required.
Benefits
Bernhardt Riley offers a strong compensation and benefits package for attorneys seeking meaningful litigation work, professional autonomy, and a healthier long-term practice environment.
Benefits include:
Competitive salary of $100,000+ DOE
401(k) with firm matching
Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
Paid holidays, including an additional firm-designated holiday
Paid vacation, sick, and personal time
Half-day Fridays for Division Leads and employees who have been with the firm for more than two years, subject to litigation demands, court deadlines, and client needs
Gym membership reimbursement/stipend
Annual bonus opportunities
Professional development support, including CLEs, training, and leadership growth
Fully remote work environment
Why This Role Exists — and Why It’s Different
Debt defense is a high-volume litigation practice, but we do not believe it should be practiced with a high-volume mentality.
Every lawsuit presents different facts, documentation, procedural issues, settlement opportunities, and client objectives. We expect our attorneys to understand the case, identify the strongest available strategy, and exercise professional judgment rather than simply moving files through a standardized process.
At the same time, technology and automation are rapidly changing legal practice. We are building a modern debt defense practice in which technology handles more of the routine administrative work so our attorneys can spend more time on strategy, advocacy, negotiation, client communication, and results.
If you enjoy finding weaknesses in a case, solving problems, negotiating from a position of strength, and taking ownership of matters from beginning to end, you will fit well within our firm.
What You’ll Handle
You will manage consumer debt defense matters from initial appearance through resolution, including cases involving credit cards, consumer loans, debt buyers, and other consumer debt claims.
Case Strategy & Ownership
Evaluate each case and develop a case-specific defense and resolution strategy
Manage matters from Notice of Appearance and Answer through settlement, dismissal, summary judgment, mediation, or trial
Identify procedural, evidentiary, standing, documentation, and other potential defenses
Maintain proactive case timelines and ensure matters continue moving toward resolution
Balance legal strategy with the client's goals, financial circumstances, risks, and practical realities
Motions & Discovery
Draft and respond to written discovery
Analyze documents produced by plaintiffs and identify evidentiary or substantive weaknesses
Prepare and argue motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, motions to compel, and other appropriate dispositive and non-dispositive motions
Handle discovery disputes and related hearings
Prepare for and conduct or defend depositions when appropriate
Hearings & Trial
Attend Zoom and remote hearings throughout New Mexico
Attend in-person proceedings when necessary; coverage counsel may be utilized for certain routine appearances
Prepare matters thoroughly for contested hearings and trial
Organize evidence, witnesses, exhibits, legal arguments, and trial strategy
Comfortably advocate for clients before judges and opposing counsel
Negotiation & Resolution
Evaluate settlement opportunities throughout the litigation process
Negotiate strategically with opposing counsel
Provide clients with clear recommendations regarding litigation risk, settlement options, and next steps
Resolve matters through dismissal, settlement, mediation, arbitration, judgment, or trial as appropriate
Client Communication & Trust
Communicate clearly and consistently with clients
Explain litigation strategy and options in understandable terms
Set realistic expectations while giving clients confidence that their matter is being actively managed
Provide practical recommendations rather than simply presenting legal analysis
Team Leadership & Collaboration
Work closely with legal assistants, paralegals, and other attorneys within the Debt Defense Division
Provide direction and guidance regarding case strategy and litigation priorities
Help develop team members and improve consistency across the practice
Collaborate effectively within a remote environment
Modern Practice & Continuous Improvement
Continuously improve legal strategies, templates, workflows, and internal processes
Utilize legal technology, AI, and automation tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency
Identify recurring patterns across cases that can strengthen future defense strategies
Contribute ideas that improve client experience, case outcomes, and division performance
What Success Looks Like
During your first 90 days:
You become comfortable with the firm's debt defense strategies, systems, and workflows
You begin independently managing matters from appearance through resolution
Your pleadings, motions, discovery, and hearings are timely, organized, and strategically purposeful
Cases consistently move forward rather than remaining stagnant
Clients understand what is happening, what their options are, and what comes next
You communicate effectively with the attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants supporting your caseload
You begin identifying opportunities to improve strategies, templates, or workflows across the division
Required Qualifications
Active New Mexico Bar license in good standing
Minimum three years of meaningful experience handling consumer debt litigation
Experience must include substantive responsibility for cases—not solely hearing coverage
Debt defense experience strongly preferred; substantial plaintiff-side consumer debt litigation experience will also be considered
Strong working knowledge of consumer debt litigation and applicable case law
Strong understanding of the New Mexico Rules of Civil Procedure
Experience drafting and arguing motions
Experience handling written discovery and discovery disputes
Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills
Ability to independently evaluate cases and develop litigation strategies
Ability to manage disputes through settlement, mediation, arbitration, or trial
Strong client-facing communication skills
Ability to effectively manage an active caseload in a remote environment
The Kind of Lawyer We’re Intentionally Hiring
We are screening for attorneys who demonstrate:
Resourcefulness:You find answers, identify leverage, and figure out how to move difficult cases forward.
Judgment:You understand that the technically available legal option is not always the best practical strategy for the client.
Curiosity:You want to understand why something happened, look beyond the obvious issue, and recognize patterns across cases.
Ownership:You take responsibility for deadlines, strategy, communication, and outcomes rather than waiting for someone else to move the matter forward.
Decisiveness:You can evaluate imperfect information, develop a reasonable strategy, and act.
Client focus:You understand that clients often come to us anxious and uncertain, and that clear communication is an important part of excellent legal representation.
Adaptability:You are comfortable working in a firm that is actively adopting technology, automation, and new approaches to practicing law.
How to Apply
Apply now to join a growing team of legal professionals combining personal care, strong advocacy, and modern legal practice.
Bernhardt Riley offers experienced attorneys substantial responsibility, professional autonomy, a collaborative remote environment, and the opportunity to help shape a growing statewide practice.
Originally posted on Himalayas
Bernhardt Riley is hiring a full-timeDebt Defense Litigation Attorneyto manage an active caseload of consumer debt lawsuits from initial appearance through resolution or trial. This is a fully remote role, although occasional in-person court appearances may be required.
We are looking for an attorney who understands that effective debt defense requires more than processing cases. The right attorney can quickly evaluate a lawsuit, identify leverage, develop the appropriate defense and settlement strategy, and move the matter toward the best practical outcome for the client.
This role also provides the opportunity to help strengthen and improve a growing practice area through better strategies, processes, technology, and team development.
Compensation: $100,000+/year DOE
Bar licenses in multiple jurisdictions is preferred but not required.
Benefits
Bernhardt Riley offers a strong compensation and benefits package for attorneys seeking meaningful litigation work, professional autonomy, and a healthier long-term practice environment.
Benefits include:
Competitive salary of $100,000+ DOE
401(k) with firm matching
Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
Paid holidays, including an additional firm-designated holiday
Paid vacation, sick, and personal time
Half-day Fridays for Division Leads and employees who have been with the firm for more than two years, subject to litigation demands, court deadlines, and client needs
Gym membership reimbursement/stipend
Annual bonus opportunities
Professional development support, including CLEs, training, and leadership growth
Fully remote work environment
Why This Role Exists — and Why It’s Different
Debt defense is a high-volume litigation practice, but we do not believe it should be practiced with a high-volume mentality.
Every lawsuit presents different facts, documentation, procedural issues, settlement opportunities, and client objectives. We expect our attorneys to understand the case, identify the strongest available strategy, and exercise professional judgment rather than simply moving files through a standardized process.
At the same time, technology and automation are rapidly changing legal practice. We are building a modern debt defense practice in which technology handles more of the routine administrative work so our attorneys can spend more time on strategy, advocacy, negotiation, client communication, and results.
If you enjoy finding weaknesses in a case, solving problems, negotiating from a position of strength, and taking ownership of matters from beginning to end, you will fit well within our firm.
What You’ll Handle
You will manage consumer debt defense matters from initial appearance through resolution, including cases involving credit cards, consumer loans, debt buyers, and other consumer debt claims.
Case Strategy & Ownership
Evaluate each case and develop a case-specific defense and resolution strategy
Manage matters from Notice of Appearance and Answer through settlement, dismissal, summary judgment, mediation, or trial
Identify procedural, evidentiary, standing, documentation, and other potential defenses
Maintain proactive case timelines and ensure matters continue moving toward resolution
Balance legal strategy with the client's goals, financial circumstances, risks, and practical realities
Motions & Discovery
Draft and respond to written discovery
Analyze documents produced by plaintiffs and identify evidentiary or substantive weaknesses
Prepare and argue motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, motions to compel, and other appropriate dispositive and non-dispositive motions
Handle discovery disputes and related hearings
Prepare for and conduct or defend depositions when appropriate
Hearings & Trial
Attend Zoom and remote hearings throughout New Mexico
Attend in-person proceedings when necessary; coverage counsel may be utilized for certain routine appearances
Prepare matters thoroughly for contested hearings and trial
Organize evidence, witnesses, exhibits, legal arguments, and trial strategy
Comfortably advocate for clients before judges and opposing counsel
Negotiation & Resolution
Evaluate settlement opportunities throughout the litigation process
Negotiate strategically with opposing counsel
Provide clients with clear recommendations regarding litigation risk, settlement options, and next steps
Resolve matters through dismissal, settlement, mediation, arbitration, judgment, or trial as appropriate
Client Communication & Trust
Communicate clearly and consistently with clients
Explain litigation strategy and options in understandable terms
Set realistic expectations while giving clients confidence that their matter is being actively managed
Provide practical recommendations rather than simply presenting legal analysis
Team Leadership & Collaboration
Work closely with legal assistants, paralegals, and other attorneys within the Debt Defense Division
Provide direction and guidance regarding case strategy and litigation priorities
Help develop team members and improve consistency across the practice
Collaborate effectively within a remote environment
Modern Practice & Continuous Improvement
Continuously improve legal strategies, templates, workflows, and internal processes
Utilize legal technology, AI, and automation tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency
Identify recurring patterns across cases that can strengthen future defense strategies
Contribute ideas that improve client experience, case outcomes, and division performance
What Success Looks Like
During your first 90 days:
You become comfortable with the firm's debt defense strategies, systems, and workflows
You begin independently managing matters from appearance through resolution
Your pleadings, motions, discovery, and hearings are timely, organized, and strategically purposeful
Cases consistently move forward rather than remaining stagnant
Clients understand what is happening, what their options are, and what comes next
You communicate effectively with the attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants supporting your caseload
You begin identifying opportunities to improve strategies, templates, or workflows across the division
Required Qualifications
Active New Mexico Bar license in good standing
Minimum three years of meaningful experience handling consumer debt litigation
Experience must include substantive responsibility for cases—not solely hearing coverage
Debt defense experience strongly preferred; substantial plaintiff-side consumer debt litigation experience will also be considered
Strong working knowledge of consumer debt litigation and applicable case law
Strong understanding of the New Mexico Rules of Civil Procedure
Experience drafting and arguing motions
Experience handling written discovery and discovery disputes
Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills
Ability to independently evaluate cases and develop litigation strategies
Ability to manage disputes through settlement, mediation, arbitration, or trial
Strong client-facing communication skills
Ability to effectively manage an active caseload in a remote environment
The Kind of Lawyer We’re Intentionally Hiring
We are screening for attorneys who demonstrate:
Resourcefulness:You find answers, identify leverage, and figure out how to move difficult cases forward.
Judgment:You understand that the technically available legal option is not always the best practical strategy for the client.
Curiosity:You want to understand why something happened, look beyond the obvious issue, and recognize patterns across cases.
Ownership:You take responsibility for deadlines, strategy, communication, and outcomes rather than waiting for someone else to move the matter forward.
Decisiveness:You can evaluate imperfect information, develop a reasonable strategy, and act.
Client focus:You understand that clients often come to us anxious and uncertain, and that clear communication is an important part of excellent legal representation.
Adaptability:You are comfortable working in a firm that is actively adopting technology, automation, and new approaches to practicing law.
How to Apply
Apply now to join a growing team of legal professionals combining personal care, strong advocacy, and modern legal practice.
Bernhardt Riley offers experienced attorneys substantial responsibility, professional autonomy, a collaborative remote environment, and the opportunity to help shape a growing statewide practice.
Originally posted on Himalayas
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