Managing Attorney (Native American Program)
New Mexico Legal Aid seeks an experienced attorney to lead our Native American Program who has:
- Indian Law experience,
- At least 10 years of experience working in Pueblo Indian and/or other tribal communities,
- At least five years’ experience as an attorney some of which should include practice in tribal courts.
The Native American Program provides free legal services to eligible low-income Native Americans living on or near 19 Pueblos and the Mescalero Apache tribe in New Mexico. The candidate should have experience in supervising legal advocacy in Federal, State and Tribal Court. Candidates must be licensed to practice law in New Mexico, or eligible to become licensed in New Mexico, with at least 5 years of litigation experience, preferably including poverty law issues in Tribal and Federal Indian law cases.
Candidates should also have cultural knowledge and sensitivity to work with tribal courts, tribal governments and agencies, and sovereign nations.
The Managing Attorney will supervise attorneys, paralegals and other staff and volunteers, handle administrative duties, and work in close collaboration with other members of NMLA’s management team. The Managing Attorney also will handle cases as sole counsel or co-counsel. The Managing Attorney will be active in local bar and community activities, and will participate in community education and outreach to eligible clients.
The Native American Program handles creative, challenging and complex work. We are looking for highly motivated candidates who are passionate and strongly committed to helping NMLA better serve our client communities, including development of effective team strategies to handle complex advocacy and extended representation cases.
Requirements: Excellent communication, writing and analytical skills, and sensitivity to and ability to work with diverse low-income populations. Self-motivated individuals with strong inter-personal and managerial skills are encouraged to apply. Candidates also must possess the ability to manage multiple tasks, manage a caseload and build collaborative relationships within the staff and the community. Proficiency in Keres or other relevant Native American language is a plus. The position is based in Santa Ana, but requires statewide travel.
Minimum five years as licensed attorney; prior experience in administrative and supervisory roles preferred. Candidates also must possess excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and build collaborative relationships within the staff and the community.
Applicants may 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 still be able to perform admirably.
Send a resume and letter of interest explaining what you would like to accomplish if you are selected for this position to: jobs@nmlegalaid.org
Salary: DOE, NMLA is an EEO Employer. Deadline: June 30, 2020.