Environmental Justice Staff Attorney

Groundworks New Mexico; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Groundworks New Mexico is seeking a staff attorney to engage in legal, policy, and administrative advocacy, and to work closely with the NMELC legal team, clients and communities to advance shared goals and priorities.

The attorney will maintain an individual caseload, handling client-directed litigation in state and federal courts (including appellate work), participate in policy development during the legislative session and federal rulemaking, and support coalition-building and communications

Qualifications

• 3-5 years litigation experience in administrative, state, and/or federal courts.
• Strong background in environmental, constitutional, and/or civil rights law.
• Attorney in good standing; NM bar eligibility or license.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an individual caseload of client-directed litigation in state and federal courts, including appellate work.
• Engage in policy development during the state legislative session and federal legislation/rulemaking.
• Keep the Executive Director, legal team, staff, and larger community informed of relevant legal and policy developments.
• Involvement with coalition-building and communications/media efforts.
• Additional duties required.

Skills

Litigation

Policy development

Coalition building

Communications

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Staff attorneys engage in legal, policy, and administrative advocacy, as well as coalition-building, communications/media, and other organizational tasks. Work closely with NMELC legal team, clients and communities to achieve shared goals and priorities.

Additional Areas of Responsibility:

• Maintains an individual caseload, engaging in client-directed litigation in state and federal court, including appellate work, before administrative agencies and potentially international tribunals.
• Involvement with policy development, including the state legislative session and federal legislation/rulemaking.
• Keeps the Executive Director, legal team, staff, and larger community informed of relevant legal and policy developments.
• Additional duties required.

Other Information/Requirements:

• 3-5 years litigation experience in administrative, state, and/or federal courts, with a strong background in environmental, constitutional, and/or civil rights law. Exceptional candidates at all experience levels considered.
• Must be an attorney in good standing, either licensed to practice law in the State of New Mexico or be eligible for admission to the New Mexico bar at hiring.

How to Apply:

Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, two writing samples minimum, and three references electronically to Dr. Virginia Necochea, Executive Director at [e-mail] . All required documents must be submitted electronically. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Interviews may be conducted online or in person.