Appellate Attorney- Assistant (U)

Closing Date: 30th October, 2026

Description:

The Court of Appeals is recruiting for a full-time, at-will Appellate Attorney- Assistant (U) #00000055-21500 in Albuquerque, NM. GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES Acting under administrative direction of a Justice or Judge, Chief Appellate Court Clerk, or a supervising appellate attorney provides legal advice, performs legal research and analysis, and makes recommendations to the court. Finalist may be subject to a background check.

EXAMPLES OF Job Duties

• The Appellate Attorney – Assistant (At-Will) is responsible for providing support to the court on legal matters as they arise in the course of court operations.
• Assists the court with the exercise of its rulemaking authority and provides staff support for committees, boards, and commissions.
• Drafts recommendations and proposed dispositions for assigned cases.
• May screen pro se petitions for jurisdiction and procedural prerequisites.
• Assists the court to resolve pending appeals by reviewing motions, docketing statements, and briefs.
• 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.
• May create proposed orders addressing petitions for extraordinary writs and motions in civil and criminal matters.
• 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.
• May Assist management on personnel issues and ensure compliance with applicable employment laws, rules, regulations, court and AOC policies and procedures.
• May assist with Requests for Proposals and Invitations to Bid.
• May prepare and make oral presentations, training, or continuing education at national, state and local conferences.
• May research proposed legislation, provide testimony and participate in developing strategies for passage of legislation.
• May oversee court-mandated programs.
• May prepare curriculum or workshop materials for training and educational programs.
• Ensures compliance with statuary deadlines and budgetary limitations.
• May serve on statewide or local committees.
• Maintains awareness of current developments in the law.
• Responds to correspondence, emails, telephone calls, and in-person information requests from pro se litigants, inmates, attorneys, judges, court staff, government employees, and members of the public.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies/Qualifications
The successful applicant should demonstrate knowledge of the 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

Benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Rx, Short, and Long Term Disability Insurance Programs, employee assistance program (EAP) [http://www.mybenefitsnm.com/]
• 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 [http://www.nmpera.org/]
• Flexible work schedules and alternative work locations*
• Free health care, Rx, and lab work at the facility (Stay Well Health Center) in Santa Fe, NM
• Bilingual compensation*
• Training and career development opportunities
• Higher education opportunities, educational leave, and tuition reimbursement
• May qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• May receive overtime holiday or shift differential pay*
• May receive physical fitness leave*
• What are your benefits worth? Click here to find out
• These benefits vary by job classification or need*

Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:

• 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.

To Apply: Submit a New Mexico Judicial Branch Application for Employment, or a Resume and a Resume Supplemental form, and proof of education to:

---