Staff Attorney - Native American Program

New Mexico Legal Aid; Bernalillo (NM); On-site; USD 63,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule (3 days in office

3 weeks vacation

6 days personal time

Sick pay and federal holidays off

403(b) Retirement Plan

Job summary

New Mexico Legal Aid is seeking a Native American Program Staff Attorney for Santa Ana Pueblo, NM. The role focuses on providing free civil and criminal legal services to eligible Native Americans, with emphasis on tribal and Indian law matters and collaboration across NM offices.

The attorney will handle full representation, provide outreach, and work with tribal agencies. NM license or eligibility within 3 months is required; willingness to travel statewide is expected.

Qualifications

• Understanding of tribal law and federal and state Indian law, particularly in areas handled by NAP case workers; familiarity with tribal court procedures.
• Experience - lived or professional - in low-income Native communities, preferably Pueblo communities.
• Experience as an attorney, including experience in tribal courts, on matters concerning Native status.
• Admission to practice in New Mexico required; or ability to become licensed within three months and admission to practice in another state's jurisdiction.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse team and communicate across cultures.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; proficient with remote work tools.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal services from full representation to advisory services; may include crisis/criminal defense.
• Represents clients in line with NAP priorities, including tribal and Indian law matters.
• Serve as Guardian ad Litem as appointed.
• Participate in outreach, develop community educational materials, and staff NAP legal clinics.
• Evaluate applicants' needs to identify systemic gaps and propose solutions.
• Assess jurisdictional and due process issues under the Indian Civil Rights Act.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Tribal law knowledge

Experience in tribal courts

Written and oral communication

Team collaboration

Cultural sensitivity

Bilingual (Pueblo languages) optional

Education

Bar admission in NM or eligible within 3 months

Law degree (J.D.)

Job description

Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico

New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) provides civil legal services to low-income New Mexicans to promote family and economic stability, helping clients access food, shelter, security, and to preserve their unique cultural heritages. NMLA has locations throughout the state, including Santa Ana Pueblo, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Gallup, Roswell, Silver City, and Taos.

Native American Program Staff Attorney

Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico

New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) provides civil legal services to low-income New Mexicans to promote family and economic stability, helping clients access food, shelter, security, and to preserve their unique cultural heritages. NMLA has locations throughout the state, including Santa Ana Pueblo, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Gallup, Roswell, Silver City, and Taos.

NMLA's Native American Program (NAP) provides free legal services - both civil and criminal - to eligible low-income Native Americans living on or near the 19 Pueblos and the Mescalero Apache tribe in New Mexico. In addition to cases promoting family and economic stability, NAP prioritizes cases arising because of someone's status as a Native American, including tribal and Indian law, estate planning involving tribal property, racial discrimination, and tribal criminal court cases. Much of NAP's caseload is comprised of cases in Pueblo courts, but the program handles poverty law issues coming up in other fora as well.

NAP does creative, challenging, and complex work in diverse client communities. We are looking for highly motivated candidates who are passionate and strongly committed to helping serve Native American communities, including developing effective team strategies to handle complex advocacy. The attorney shall be active in relevant bar and community activities. All NMLA staff attorney positions fall under a collective bargaining agreement. This position is based in NAP's office on Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, and includes regular travel around the state.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal services, from full representation to brief services, and/or advice and counsel.
• Provides criminal defense representation to eligible clients within NAP's priorities.
• Serve as Guardian ad Litem as appointed.
• Participates in NAP's outreach activities, which include developing community education presentations and pro se materials responsive to the needs of NAP's client community members, meeting with tribal agency personnel regarding the legal issues of their communities, and staffing occasional NAP legal clinics.
• Analyzes NAP applicants' needs to highlight areas where systemic solutions or more dedicated focus would prove valuable.
• Analyzes jurisdictional issues and due process issues under the Indian Civil Rights Act.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Understanding of tribal law and federal and state Indian law, particularly in areas handled by NAP case workers, including court procedures;
• Experience - lived or professional - in low-income Native communities, preferably Pueblo communities, is preferred;
• Experience as an attorney, including experience in tribal courts, on matters concerning the unique status of Native persons;
• Admission to practice in New Mexico required; or ability to become licensed to practice in New Mexico within three months of hire and admission to practice in another state's jurisdiction;
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse team, including adjusting communication for a variety of cultural backgrounds and learning styles;
• Ability to take initiative to identify questions or barriers faced in their work, design and propose solutions, and proactively communicate with colleagues and supervisors who are working out of different offices;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Ability to effectively use computer technology and remote communications systems, including shared on-line workspaces and web meeting and videoconferencing software, to effectively work with staff located in multiple offices;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, manage a caseload, and build collaborative relationships across different NMLA offices.
• Bilingual is a plus for any of the Pueblo Languages (e.g., Keres, Tewa, Tiwa, Towa, and Zuni)

Company Benefits

• 100% employer-paid BCBS medical, plus dental and vision for employees; generous contributions for dependents
• 3 weeks vacation time, 6 days personal time, liberal sick pay, and federal holidays off
• Comp time for overtime
• Hybrid work schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote – your choice!)
• 37.5-hour work week
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Competitive salary
• Click here for more information

Salary: $63,376.18 - $100,547.39 for licensed attorneys, DOE.

Incentives: This role may be eligible for a $3,000.00/year geographic incentive and/or a $3,000.00/year bilingual incentive.

Application Deadline: Until filled. Resumes reviewed on a rolling basis.

Applicants will be subject to a background check. 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.

NMLA is an EEO Employer.