Lead Attorney (DOH/OGC#57300)

New Mexico Department of Health; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 96,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) seeks an in-house employment and labor attorney for its Office of General Counsel. This position handles state employment matters, including admin and court cases, mediations, and arbitrations.

You will provide legal opinions, draft policies, and analyze proposed statutes for agency impact, while researching state and federal law. A strong capacity to communicate complex issues to non-lawyers and to manage a heavy caseload is essential.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Two years of legal practice experience.
• Licensed as an attorney by the NM Supreme Court or eligible for a limited license within six months of hire.
• Strong advocacy and litigation skills.
• Ability to communicate complex legal issues to laypersons.
• Interest in employment and labor law.

Responsibilities

• Represent NMDOH in employment and labor matters, including administrative and court cases, mediations, and arbitrations.
• Provide legal opinions and recommendations based on legal research and analysis.
• Advise about, draft, and edit policies and rules related to state employment and labor matters.
• Periodically analyze proposed statutory text to assess potential impacts to the agency.
• Research and analyze both state and federal laws.
• Assist the Office of General Counsel with legal matters as assigned by the attorney's supervisor.

Skills

Licensed to practice law in NM

Advocacy and litigation skills

Legal writing/communication

Employment and labor law interest

Education

Juris Doctorate degree

Job description

Posting Details

This is a continuous posting and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.

Salary

• $46.33 - $74.12 Hourly
• $96,358 - $154,173 Annually
• This position is a Pay Band C12

Posting Details

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is the primary public health governmental agency of the state of New Mexico. The Department of Health is composed of various organizational units with different functions and activities. The NMDOH Office of General Counsel is the office of in-house attorneys who represent the agency and advise agency staff in their work.

Why does the job exist?

This position serves in the NMDOH Office of General Counsel as the primary employment and labor attorney, and working on other matters as assigned.

How does it get done?

The position will represent the NMDOH in employment and labor matters, including administrative and court cases, mediations, and arbitrations. This attorney position will provide legal opinions and recommendations to agency staff, based on legal research and analysis. The attorney will also advise about, draft, and edit policies and rules related to state employment and labor matters, and may periodically analyze proposed statutory text to assess potential impacts to the agency. This position requires researching and analyzing both state and federal laws.

This attorney position is also tasked with assisting the Office of General Counsel with legal matters as assigned by the attorney's supervisor.

Who are the customers?

This attorney position represents the Department of Health and its various divisions and bureaus, and primarily represents the Office of the Secretary and the Human Resources Bureau.

Ideal Candidate

• Be licensed to practice law in New Mexico (or be pending NM licensure);
• Have strong advocacy and litigation skills;
• Be effective at communicating complex legal issues to lay persons;
• Have the ability to manage a significant and complex case load; and
• Have an interest in employment and labor law.

Minimum Qualification

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and two (2) years of experience in the practice of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or obtain a limited law license within six (6) months of hire (See Rule 15-304 NMRA). Individuals pursuing the limited law license may not engage in the practice of law until the limited law license has been granted.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage.

Agency Contact Information

Chris Woodward [phone] Email

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.