Address
Form of workUnder the supervision of a Children's Program Managing Attorney, the Staff Attorney will provide legal representation in state court to obtain predicate orders needed for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and other related services. The Staff Attorney may also supervise volunteer attorneys and paralegals, interns as needed.
Essential duties include:
- Represent minors and/or guardians in states court proceedings to pursue divorce, custody, parentage finding, guardianship, etc. in order to protect immigrant youth who have been abused, abandoned or neglected by one or both parents.
- Prepare and file supporting documentation for court cases.
- Research and write motions and briefs related to court cases, including legal research.
- Conduct training of pro bono attorneys
- Educate key stakeholders (partner agencies, judges, court staff, and community members) on Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification Act (NMSA Sec. 40-18-1 to 4).
- Design templates for pleadings for use in-house and with NMILC's pro bono attorneys.
- Provide consultations with children and youth seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
- Under supervision of the Managing Attorney, may supervise paralegals, interns and volunteers.
- Maintain client databases, case notes and files for caseload.
- Keep accurate records and maintain confidentiality.
Job Requirements
- Juris Doctor Degree required and membership in New Mexico bar. (We will consider candidates who can waive in or obtain a limited license)
- Relevant experience in Family Law with guardianship, emancipation and custody.
- Familiarity with the Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification Act (NMSA Sec. 40-18-1 to 4) preferred.
- Strong case management, legal research and legal writing skills.
- Experience with training pro bono attorneys preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment and experience in public interest law.
- Passion for social justice for immigrants required.
- Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish preferred.
Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position. Salary is competitive for our field and geographic area and is commensurate with experience. Starting annual salary for a Staff Attorney position is $67,080 with upward adjustments for additional years of relevant experience. For example, the annual salary for a Senior Attorney with at least 4 years of directly relevant experience would be $86,320.
NMILC currently offers a generous benefits package, including:
- 100% of Individual Employee Health Premium paid by NMILC for the Base Plan and 50% for dependents. Buy-up Plan also available.
- Access to a 401K plan and discretionary employer match up to 10% of base salary (determined each fiscal year based on funding projections).
- Optional Flexible Spending Account for pre-tax funds for medical and/or dependent care cost. Benefits may be subject to change at any time based on changes to the organization's budget
- NMILC also recognizes the value of creating an environment of positive work/life balance, acknowledging that investing in staff's ability to take care of themselves and their families enables them to do their best work. The plan currently includes:
- Flexible work schedule and hybrid remote work options during the COVID-19 pandemic
- 15 paid vacation days (3 weeks) annually
- 1 earned sick leave hour for every 30 hours worked
- Company-paid federal holidays in addition to 2 weeks of winter break, 1 week for spring break, and 1 week for summer break, and other days as established in coordination with the local public school schedule
- Benefits may be subject to change at any time based on changes to the organization's budget
- Location: This position is based out of NMILC's office located in Albuquerque, NM. NMILC's operations are currently operating on a hybrid remote/in-person model.
