Attorney Associate; U At-, in Socorro, NM

Attorney Associate (U) #, Full-Time, At-Will, in Socorro, NM

Location:

Socorro, New Mexico.

Business Unit: 23700

Target Pay Range/Rate: $36.179–$72.358 per hour

Opening Date: 12‑01‑2025

The Seventh Judicial District Court is recruiting for one full-time, At‑Will Attorney Associate position to support the Seventh Judicial District Court which includes Catron, Sierra, Socorro, and Torrance counties. The post of duty will be determined at the time of hiring. Acting under general direction of the Judge or Court Executive Officer, you will provide legal advice, perform legal research and analysis, and make recommendations to the court or Judicial Entity.

• The Attorney – Associate is responsible for drafting recommendations and proposed dispositions for assigned cases, memorandum opinions, judgements, orders, and decisions for review.
• May screen pro se petitions for jurisdictional and procedural prerequisites.
• Respond to correspondence, e‑mails and telephone calls from pro se litigants, inmates, attorneys, and members of the public.
• Assist the Court to resolve pending appeals by reviewing motions, docketing statements and briefs.
• Draft calendar recommendations, notices, orders, and opinions.
• Analyze briefs, records, and legal authorities cited.
• Assist in providing criminal and civil judges with information and recent opinions to ensure compliance with current law.
• Draft memoranda of law, proposed opinions and orders for administrative appeals of record and de novo appeals, including addressing complex areas of the law such as water, oil and gas, taxation, employment and zoning.
• Draft proposed orders addressing petitions for extraordinary writs and motions in civil and criminal matters.
• Review, analyze, and edit findings of fact and conclusions of law.
• Evaluate court processes and formulate, recommend, and implement policies and procedures to ensure uniform compliance with statutory and constitutional provisions, case law, and Supreme Court Rules.
• Periodically review relevant law and propose recommendations on court procedures.
• Evaluate proposed rule changes, draft comments, and attend trials and hearings.
• Meet with and advise court administration and staff on legal matters as they arise in the course of court operations.
• May draft and monitor leases, contracts, proposals, professional services agreements, price agreements, memoranda of understanding, letter agreements, software license agreements, and intergovernmental agreements for the Judicial Entity.
• May assist management on personnel issues and ensure compliance with applicable employment laws, rules, regulations, court and AOC policies and procedures.
• Assist with Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations to Bid (ITBs).
• Administer or assist with Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations to Bid (ITBs).
• Participate in developing judicial procedures and prepare and present educational materials to assist the Bench and Bar.
• Assess the appropriateness of mediation or a dispute resolution process for a case and conduct a mediation or dispute resolution process. May serve on statewide or local committees and provide training at national, state, and local conferences.
• May assist in tracking, reviewing, analyzing, and advising the judicial entity on proposed legislation.
• Encourage negotiations between the parties in a civil legal dispute and facilitate settlements of cases until an agreement is reached or until settlement does not appear to be possible.
• May coordinate and oversee legal clinics for pro se litigants.
• May conduct motion hearings in the capacity of a special master or commissioner and draft recommendations to the judge in civil matters.
• May research disclosure of information issues under the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) and make recommendations.
• May propose recommendations on court procedures relevant to cases sent to a court‑ordered settlement facilitation program.
• May engage with community organizations and practitioners in a collaborative effort to implement a fair and standardized approach in the settlement facilitation process.
• Other duties as assigned.

The successful applicant should demonstrate…