Staff Attorney — 2 positions (Native American Program)
The Native American Program (“NAP”) seeks two staff attorneys to represent people living on or near any of the 19 Pueblos and/or Mescalero Apache Nation. NAP conducts most of its representation within the Pueblo courts of New Mexico in many different legal areas that are subject to tribal and/or federal Indian law. We are a small, tightknit Program currently consisting of a Secretary, two full time Staff Attorneys, an AmeriCorps Medical Legal Partnership Staff Attorney, and a Managing Attorney.
For decades, NAP attorneys have provided and continue to provide legal representation in several jurisdictions, which can include many Pueblo Courts and the New Mexico state courts, through full representation, brief services, and/or advice and counsel. NAP attorneys may work on a variety of civil legal issues including family law, tribal housing, tribal employment, public benefits, consumer, and education law. Additionally, NAP is unique in that we also provide criminal defense representation and represent Respondent parents in abuse and neglect matters in the Pueblo courts. NAP attorneys may be appointed to serve as a Guardian ad Litem. NAP is often analyzing jurisdictional issues and due process issues under the Indian Civil Rights Act. In addition to legal representation, NAP conducts outreach and various legal trainings to Pueblo and tribal communities and community partners.
NAP strongly encourages tribally enrolled members to apply.
NMLA Benefits:
- Salary: All NMLA staff attorney positions fall under a collective bargaining agreement and salary is determined by years of experience under the current salary scale.
- Leave: Accrue at least 15 days per year annual leave (which increases every year up to 7 years); accrue 16 days of sick leave per year; automatic 5 days per year personal leave; recognize at least 14 holidays per year; parental leave; bereavement leave; earn comp time.
- Work/Life Balance: 7.5 hour work day for a 37.5 hour workweek; two paid 15 minute breaks per day; 1 hour unpaid lunch break; flex schedule for up to two hours per day.
- Benefit Package: medical, dental, and vision insurance fully covered for employee and a generous partial payment for family/dependent insurance; FSA; HSA; up to a 3% match for 403(b).
- License: Bar dues; Annual CLE expenses.
- Currently, NMLA allows telework.
Learn more about NAP here: https://www.newmexicolegalaid.org/node/271/native-american-program.
For information on NMLA's generous benefits, leave and holiday policies and salary scales click here.
NAP Requirements:
- Licensed in New Mexico.
- If hired, will apply for admission to many Tribal Courts within NAPs service area.
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to manage a significant caseload.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks.
- Willing and able to travel.
NAP Preferences:
- Experience working on/with Native American legal issues and communities.
- At least three (3) years of legal practice, preferably in tribal or Pueblo Courts.
- At least two (2) years of legal experience in criminal defense cases, especially those in tribal or Pueblo Courts.
- Proficiency in relevant Native American languages
NMLA is committed to a strong workforce and will review records individually to determine whether a particular record will disqualify.
NAP strongly encourages tribally enrolled members to apply.
Send [1] a current resume and [2] a letter of interest explaining your experience in this field and why you want to work with NAP to: jobs@nmlegalaid.org. Please put “NAP Staff Attorney Application” in the subject line.