New Mexico Legal Aid seeks a staff attorney for our Consumer Law Practice Group.
New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) provides civil legal services to low income New Mexicans for a variety of legal issues including domestic violence/family law, consumer protection, housing, and benefits. NMLA has locations throughout the state including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Gallup, Roswell, Silver City, Clovis, Hobbs, Las Vegas, Taos, and Santa Ana.
As part of the Consumer Law Practice Group the attorney will assist New Mexicans facing a variety of debt and consumer related matters from collections attempts to garnishments. Consumer matters underpin many of the issues NMLA clients face and can take many forms. The attorney will also have the opportunity to represent clients in Chapter 7 bankruptcies, a mechanism that provides people with a fresh financial start. The attorney will report to the managing attorney of the Consumer Law Practice Group.
For this position, the staff attorney will primarily handle issues for eligible clients such as:
Representing clients facing collections cases in magistrate and district court. Contest garnishments placed on clients, frequently from judgments that are many years old. Assist clients who have been subjected to fraudulent or misleading auto sales and repairs. File Chapter 7 bankruptcy petitions on behalf of clients.
The attorney will be expected to:
Advise clients. Help prepare necessary paperwork. Draft and file pleadings and motions. Litigate client matters to the extent necessary. Negotiate with adverse parties and opposing counsel to resolve client matters. Represent clients in magistrate, metro, and district court. Conduct community outreach and education. The successful candidate will be active in local bar and community activities and will participate in community education and outreach to eligible clients. The attorney position can be based out of any NMLA office.
NMLA handles a wide range of creative, challenging and complex work. We are looking for highly motivated candidates who are passionate about and strongly committed to helping NMLA better serve our client communities.
Essential Qualifications: Experience practicing attorney Admission to practice in New Mexico required or ability to qualify for a limited license. Must be willing and able to travel. Must be able to effectively use computer technology and remote communications systems, including shared on-line workspaces and web meeting and video conferencing software, to effectively collaborate and co-counsel with staff located in multiple offices. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks, manage a caseload and build collaborative relationships within the staff and the community. Preferred Qualifications: Experience consumer law practicing attorney; Working knowledge of the Case Management System, LegalServer preferred; Proficiency in Spanish is a plus. Applicants will be subject to a background search. Please do not let this deter you from applying. NMLA is committed to a strong workforce and recognizes that persons with marks on their record may qualify.
NMLA employees enjoy:
Being unionized. A great work environment. Great benefits including generous leave. Competitive salary. The position is part of a collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the union. Pay is determined by years of experience and set by a union scale outlined in the CBA (click here to view the salary scale). NMLA provides comprehensive benefits, holiday and leave packages. For information about NMLA's generous benefits, and what it is like to work at NMLA click here.
Applicants must submit a current resume and a cover letter in order to be considered. Your cover letter should include the ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above and explain your interest in this position and the mission of NMLA. Your application will not be considered unless we receive both of these documents. To apply click here. As an alternative, you can email the applicant packet to .
Salary: DOE, NMLA is an EEO Employer. Application Deadline: Until filled. Resumes reviewed on a rolling basis.
