Attorney Associate or Attorney Senior (U)

COMPETENCIES/QUALIFICATIONS

The successful applicant should demonstrate knowledge of United States and New Mexico constitutions, federal law, New Mexico case law, statutes, rules, policies, and procedures; rules of Criminal and Civil procedures, rules of Appellate Procedure, rules of evidence, the Code of Judicial Conduct, and rules of Professional Conduct. Court jurisdiction and operations; legal research; judiciary processes and policies, administrative, civil, and criminal law and procedures. Principles of legal analysis and writing, legal proofreading and editing; court case management systems; supervisory techniques, mediating and managing conflict. Employment law; and conflict-resolution principles and techniques. Ability to balance practical and legal considerations, develop procedures, comprehend and explain complex issues and solve problems.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The following functions are representative, but not all-inclusive of the work environment and physical demands an employee may expect to encounter in performing tasks assigned to this job. Work is performed in an office or court setting. A valid driver’s license and travel may be required. The assigned work schedule may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime. The employee must regularly interact positively with co-workers, clients, the public, judges, and justices.

• This job description is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions performed

QUALIFICATIONS

Attorney Associate
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- Education: Must be a graduate of a law school meeting the standards of accreditation of the American Bar Association; possess and maintain a license to practice law in the State of New Mexico.
- Education Substitution: None.
- Experience: Three (3) years of experience in the practice of applicable law, or as a law clerk.
- Experience Substitution: None.
- Attorney Senior
- Education: Must be a graduate of a law school meeting the standards of accreditation of the American Bar Association; possess and maintain a license to practice law in the State of New Mexico.
- Education Substitution: None.
Experience: Five (5) years of experience in the practice of applicable law.
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- Experience Substitution: None.
- OR
- Experience: If assigned the supervision of one (1) legal staff employee, five (5) years of experience in the practice of applicable law, of which one (1) year must have been as a supervisor.
Experience Substitution: None.
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Supervisory Substitution: Leadworker duties may be considered on a prorated basis for supervisory experience at a rate of one (1) year equals six (6) months. Leadworker assigned duties may include the development of employee performance plans and appraisals, discipline and approval of time for assigned staff. An additional two (2) years of directly related experience may substitute for the supervisory experience provided the incumbent attends the NMJB Supervisory Mentorship Program Training at their earliest opportunity.
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TO APPLY: Submit a New Mexico Judicial Branch Application for Employment, or a Resume and Resume Supplemental form, proof of education and one (1) writing sample to 2ndjobapply@nmcourts.gov or the below address.
State of New Mexico
Second Judicial District Court
Human Resource Office
400 Lomas Blvd. NW (Third Floor/Room 325)
Albuquerque, NM 87102

PROOF OF EDUCATION IS REQUIRED.

Applications not including copies of information requested on the employment application will be rejected.

EXAMPLES OF JOB DUTIES

The Attorney - Associate is responsible for drafting recommendations and proposed dispositions for assigned cases, memorandum opinions, judgements, orders, and decisions for review.

• May Screen pro se petitions for jurisdictional and procedural prerequisites.
• Responds to correspondence, e-mails and telephone calls from pro se litigants, inmates, attorneys, and members of the public.
• Assists the Court to resolve pending appeals by reviewing motions, docketing statements and briefs.
• Drafts calendar recommendations, notices, orders, and opinions.
• Analyzes briefs, records, and legal authorities cited.
• Assists in providing criminal and civil judges with information and recent opinions to ensure compliance with current law.
• Drafts memoranda of law, proposed opinions and orders for administrative appeals of record and de novo appeals, including addressing complex areas of the law 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.
• Reviews, analyzes, and edits findings of fact and conclusions of law.
• Evaluates court processes and formulates, recommends, and implements policies and procedures to ensure uniform compliance with statutory and constitutional provisions, case law, and Supreme Court Rules.
• Periodically reviews relevant law and proposes recommendations on court procedures.
• Evaluates proposed rule changes, drafts comments, and attends trials and hearings.
• Meets with and advises court administration and staff on legal matters as they arise in the course of court operations.
• May 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.
• May assist management on personnel issues and ensure compliance with applicable employment laws, rules, regulations, court and AOC policies and procedures.
• Assists with Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations to Bid (ITBs).
• Administers or assists with Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations to Bid (ITBs).
• Participates in developing judicial procedures and prepares and presents educational materials to assist the Bench and Bar.
• Asses the appropriateness of mediation or a dispute resolution process for a case and conducts a mediation or dispute resolution process. May serve on statewide or local committees and provide training at national, state, and local conferences.
• May assist in tracking, reviewing, analyzing, and advising the judicial entity on proposed legislation.
• Encourages negotiations between the parties in a civil legal dispute and facilities settlements of cases until an agreement is reached or until settlement does not appear to be possible.
• May coordinate and oversee legal clinics for pro se litigants.
• May conduct motion hearings in the capacity of a special master or commissioner and draft recommendations to the judge in civil matters.
• May research disclosure of information issues under the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) and make recommendations.
• May propose recommendations on court procedures relevant to cases sent to a court-ordered settlement facilitation program.
• May engage with community organizations and practitioners in a collaborative effort to implement a fair and standardized approach in the settlement facilitation process.
• Other duties as assigned.-

The Attorney – Senior is responsible for reviewing cases, performing legal research, and identifying, analyzing, and assessing the impact of applicable law.

• May train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate performance.
• Assists the Supreme Court with the exercise of its constitutional rulemaking authority and provides staff support for their rulemaking committees, boards, and commissions.
• Drafts recommendations and proposed dispositions for assigned cases.
• Screens pro se petitions for jurisdiction and procedural prerequisites.
• Responds on behalf of the Supreme Court to correspondence, e-mails and telephone calls from pro se litigants, inmates, attorneys, and members of the public.
• Assists the Court to resolve pending appeals by reviewing motions, docketing statements and briefs.
• Leads the reviews and disposition of Driving while Intoxicated and Domestic Violence cases on appeal from Metropolitan Court and reviews cases on appeal from Motor Vehicle Department license revocation hearings.
• Recommends appropriate courses of action and dispositions.
• Drafts memoranda of law, proposed opinions, and orders for administrative appeals of record and de novo appeals.
• Analyzes briefs, records, and legal authorities cited.
• Creates proposed orders addressing petitions for extraordinary writs and motions in civil and criminal matters.
• Evaluates court processes and formulate, recommend and implement policies and procedures to ensure uniform compliance with statutory and constitutional provisions, case law and Supreme Court Rules.
• Assists management on personnel issues and ensures compliance with applicable employment laws, rules, regulations, court, and AOC policies, and procedures.
• May assist with requests for proposals and invitations to bid.
• Develops judicial procedures and documentation for conducting stream adjudication and provides legal direction to judges and courts related to stream adjudication cases.
• Prepares and makes oral presentations, training or continuing education at national, state and local conferences.
• Attends trials and hearings, and meets with court administration and staff on legal or court matters.
• Researches proposed legislation, provide testimony and participate in developing strategies for passage of legislation.
• Oversees and assesses the appropriateness of mediation or a dispute resolution process for a case and conducts mediation or a dispute resolution process subject to the applicable standards of confidentiality.
• Leads joint discussion with all parties, and conducts private discussions with each party, identifies issues, contentions, and interests and develops a constructive working environment that generates discussion of options for resolution.
• Oversees and encourages negotiations extending beyond the initial conference through subsequent conversations or additional conferences.
• Facilitates settlements until an agreement is reached or until settlement does not appear to be possible.
• Oversees court mandated programs.
• Communicates, supports, and develops working relationships with associated parties.
• Prepares curriculum or workshop materials for training and educational programs.
• Ensures compliance with statuary deadlines and budgetary limitations.
• May serve on statewide or local committees.
• Other duties as assigned.

The following functions are representative, but not all-inclusive of the work environment and physical demands an employee may expect to encounter in performing tasks assigned to this job. Work is performed in an office or court setting. A valid driver’s license and travel may be required. The assigned work schedule may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime. The employee must regularly interact positively with co-workers, clients, the public, judges, and justices.

• This job description is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions performe