Attorney Associate (U) #00000674-23700, Full-Time, At-Will, in Remote, NM

Overview

A full-time, at-will Attorney Associate position is available to support the Seventh Judicial District Court, which serves Catron, Sierra, Socorro, and Torrance counties in New Mexico. The duty location will be determined at the time of hiring. This role operates under the general direction of the Judge or Court Executive Officer and involves handling Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) requests, providing legal advice, conducting legal research and analysis, and making recommendations to the court or judicial entity.

Responsibilities

• Draft recommendations, proposed dispositions, memorandum opinions, judgments, orders, and decisions for assigned cases.
• Screen pro se petitions for jurisdictional and procedural prerequisites.
• Respond to correspondence, emails, and telephone calls from pro se litigants, inmates, attorneys, and the public.
• Assist the court in resolving pending appeals by reviewing motions, docketing statements, and briefs.
• Draft calendar recommendations, notices, orders, and opinions.
• Analyze briefs, records, and legal authorities cited.
• Provide criminal and civil judges with information and recent opinions to ensure compliance with current law.
• Draft memoranda of law, proposed opinions, and orders for administrative and de novo appeals, including complex legal areas such as water, oil and gas, taxation, employment, and zoning.
• Draft proposed orders addressing petitions for extraordinary writs and motions in civil and criminal matters.
• Review, analyze, and edit findings of fact and conclusions of law.
• Evaluate court processes and recommend policies and procedures to ensure compliance with statutory and constitutional provisions, case law, and Supreme Court Rules.
• Periodically review relevant law and propose recommendations on court procedures.
• Evaluate proposed rule changes, draft comments, and attend trials and hearings.
• Advise court administration and staff on legal matters arising during court operations.
• Draft and monitor leases, contracts, proposals, professional services agreements, price agreements, memoranda of understanding, letter agreements, software license agreements, and intergovernmental agreements for the judicial entity.
• Assist management on personnel issues and ensure compliance with employment laws, rules, regulations, and court policies.
• Administer or assist with Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations to Bid (ITBs).
• Participate in developing judicial procedures and prepare educational materials for the bench and bar.
• Assess the appropriateness of mediation or dispute resolution processes and conduct mediations or dispute resolutions.
• Serve on statewide or local committees and provide training at national, state, and local conferences.
• Track, review, analyze, and advise on proposed legislation affecting the judicial entity.
• Facilitate negotiations and settlements in civil legal disputes.
• Coordinate and oversee legal clinics for pro se litigants.
• Conduct motion hearings as a special master or commissioner and draft recommendations in civil matters.
• Research disclosure issues under IPRA and make recommendations.
• Propose recommendations on court procedures related to court-ordered settlement facilitation programs.
• Engage with community organizations and practitioners to implement standardized settlement facilitation processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• Possess and maintain a license to practice law in the State of New Mexico.
• Three (3) years of experience practicing applicable law or as a law clerk.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of the United States and New Mexico constitutions, federal law, New Mexico case law, statutes, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Familiarity with rules of Criminal and Civil procedures, Appellate Procedure, rules of evidence, Code of Judicial Conduct, and rules of Professional Conduct.
• Understanding of court jurisdiction, operations, judiciary processes, and policies.
• Proficiency in legal research, legal analysis, writing, proofreading, and editing.
• Experience with court case management systems.
• Skills in supervisory techniques, mediation, conflict management, and employment law.
• Ability to balance practical and legal considerations, develop procedures, comprehend complex issues, and solve problems.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Work is performed in an office or court setting.
• A valid driver's license and travel may be required.
• Work schedule may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• Regular positive interaction with co-workers, clients, the public, judges, and justices is expected.

Compensation and Benefits

• Hourly pay range: $36.179 - $72.358
• Annual salary range: $75,252.00 - $150,504.64
• Medical, dental, vision, prescription, short-term and long-term disability insurance programs.
• Employee assistance program.
• State-paid life insurance, supplemental and dependent life insurance.
• Optional flexible spending accounts for medical, day-care, and travel expenses.
• Paid vacation and sick leave up to eight (8) weeks.
• Eleven (11) paid holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan.
• Lifetime Defined Benefits Retirement Plan.
• Flexible work schedules and alternative work locations (varies by job classification).
• Free health care, prescription, and lab work at a designated health center.
• Bilingual compensation (varies by job classification).
• Training and career development opportunities.
• Higher education opportunities, educational leave, and tuition reimbursement.
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Potential for overtime, holiday, or shift differential pay (varies by job classification).
• Potential for physical fitness leave (varies by job classification).

Location

Remote position based in New Mexico, with the Seventh Judicial District Court covering Catron, Sierra, Socorro, and Torrance counties. The specific post of duty will be determined upon hiring.