Description:

The Third Judicial District Court is recruiting for a Full-Time, Permanent Attorney Associate position #10100177 (U) to support the Legal Division in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Acting under general direction of the Judge, Court Executive Officer, or Supervising Attorney, provides legal advice, performs legal research and analysis, and makes recommendations to the court or Judicial Entity. A legal writing sample (10-page maximum) must be submitted with the application/resume form. Proof of education and credentials is mandatory. Must be licensed to practice law in New Mexico or eligible to obtain a public employee
limited license under Rule 15-301.1 NMRA. Finalists will be subject to criminal background checks.

General Statement of Duties:
Acting under general direction of the AOC general counsel plan, organize, direct, and manage the statewide program for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including supervision of the Children's Court Mediation Program (CCMP) and the Magistrate Court Mediation Program (MCMP). Reviews and analyzes cases; examine briefs, records and legal authorities cited; draft opinions, orders and decisions for judges' review and final approval; provide updated information to Judges on recent decisions, opinions and changes to rules and statutes to ensure compliance with current law; draft, interpret, and negotiate contracts for the court; provide legal advice to Chief Judge, other Judges, Court Executive Officer, division managers, and various court committees as necessary; advise in the areas of business, contract, procurement, employment, general civil, criminal, and constitutional law; attend trials, hearings, and meetings as necessary; review proposed legislation, analyze impact on court, prepare written bill analyses and attend legislative hearings; perform special assignments as directed; manage outside litigation; may participate in training and oversight of assigned staff, including the staff of the Court's Self- Help Program; act as liaison to local and state bar, litigants, agencies, and agency personnel; maintain confidentiality and use discretion when dealing with sensitive information. Organize and prioritize workload and manage multiple projects; analyze and organize facts, evidence and precedents; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; and use initiative and independent judgment with minimal supervision. May perform other duties in order to meet the operational needs of the Court.

Examples Of Job Duties

The Attorney – Associate is responsible for reviewing cases, performing legal research, evaluating, analyzing, writing, and making recommendations concerning the work of the Court or Judicial Entity.
Performs bill analysis as assigned by the AOC general counsel and provides general support during the annual legislative session by attending hearings, meeting with legislators, and tracking bills as assigned.
Assess the appropriateness of mediation or a dispute resolution process for a case.
Conducts a mediation or a dispute resolution process subject to applicable standards of confidentiality.
Leads joint discussions with all parties, and private discussions with each party to identify issues, contentions, and interests to develop a constructive working environment, and to generate discussion of options for resolution.
Oversees and encourages negotiations extending beyond the initial conferences through subsequence conversations or additional conferences.
Facilitates settlement until an agreement is reached or until settlement does not appear to be possible.
Coordinates the work of volunteers, contract personnel, and outside entities.
Maintains and administers court-mandated program(s), and works with statewide district courts to implement or enhance Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) programs.
Analyzes court administrative operations, policies, and procedures to ensure procedural consistency and compliance with established law and Supreme Court Rule(s).
Prepares curriculum or workshop materials for training and educational programs.
Communicates, supports, and develops working relationships with associated parties.
Revises and implements forms, policies, and procedure manuals.
Ensures compliance with statutory deadlines and budgetary limitations.
Monitors program(s) database (data development, collection, entry, and generation of reports).
Serves on statewide or local committees and provides training at national, state, and local conferences.
Creates, evaluates, maintains, and analyzes statistics.
May supervise judicial branch program staff and provide support to judicial commission(s).
May design or update the program website.
Other duties as assigned.

Competencies/Qualifications
The successful applicant should demonstrate their knowledge of the United States and New Mexico constitutions, federal law, New Mexico case law, statutes, rules, policies, and procedures. Code of Judicial Conduct and Rules of Professional Conduct. Court jurisdiction and operations. Manual and computerized legal research. Principles of legal analysis and writing, legal proofreading and editing; and court case management system.

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*
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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.