Appellate Managing Attorney

Closing Date: 16th December, 2025

Description:

Posting Details
We are so pleased that you are interested in making an impact through our work at CYFD! The department thrives on dedicated, empathetic, and talented employees who ensure the well-being of the children and families in New Mexico by keeping them safe and healthy.

This Job Posting Will Be Used for Ongoing Recruitment and May Close at Any Time. Applicant Lists May Be Screened More Than Once.
The Children's Court Managing Attorney is responsible for ensuring that the legal needs of the agency related to safety, permanency and well-being are met, promotes the agency goals, initiatives and strategic plan and ensures that all Children's Court Attorneys in their region conduct themselves in professional and respectful manner at all times and that they represent the agency's mission.

• Provides consultation, direction, oversight, and support to Children's Court Attorneys (CCAs), paralegals, and administrative staff under the Children's Court Managing Attorney's direct supervision (including assisting the regional legal administrator in supporting the legal secretaries).
• Provides consultation, direction, oversight and support to CCAs, paralegals, and administrative staff to ensure: the prompt and successful filing and resolution of all Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) and Permanent Guardianship (PG) motions; timely service and timely and successful adjudication of abuse/neglect allegations against all named respondents; and timely Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) mandated hearings.
• Participates in Managing Attorney meetings, responds to legal team information requests, and works with the Chief CCA, Managing Attorneys, and Appellate Counsel on issues of training, policy, procedure, and case law to problem solve and achieve improvements for the legal team statewide.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with legal and program staff, other agencies, and community partners, and ensures that all interactions are kind, responsive and respectful.

Experience As It Relates To:
Children and/or Family Law
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and five (5) years of experience in the practice of law, to include one (1) year of supervisory experience. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or qualified to apply for limited practice license (Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA). For more information on limited practice licenses, please visit http://nmexam.org/limited- license/.

• All Attorney classifications must be and remain licensed as an attorney, in good standing, by the Supreme Court of New Mexico, or licensed as an attorney and in good standing by the highest court of another state and eligible pursuant to the limited license provisions (See Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA).
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.

Work is performed in an office setting: late hours, weekends, on-call and callback work may be required. Will be exposed to regular periods of video display terminal and keyboard usage and stressful situations. Travel is required. Possible exposure to irate clientele. Incumbent will work under stress and frequent time constraints.

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