Staff Attorney - Disaster Legal Services / Generalist

Job Description

Job Description

Staff Attorney – Disaster Legal Services / GeneralistNorthern New Mexico – Santa Fe, Las Vegas, or Taos

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 preserve their unique cultural heritages. NMLA provides services throughout New Mexico through offices and programs serving communities across the state.

NMLA seeks a Staff Attorney to join its Northern New Mexico team. This position will have a primary assignment to NMLA's Disaster Legal Services (DLS) Program, while also maintaining a generalist civil legal services practice serving low-income residents of Northern New Mexico.

The Staff Attorney may be based in NMLA's Santa Fe, Las Vegas, or Taos office and will work collaboratively with DLS staff, Northern Offices staff, community partners, and other NMLA practice areas.

Disaster Legal Services

The Staff Attorney will support NMLA's delivery of legal services to individuals and communities impacted by federally declared disasters in New Mexico. Disaster legal work may involve a range of civil legal issues arising during disaster response and long-term recovery.

The attorney's disaster-related practice may include matters involving:

• FEMA and other disaster-assistance applications, appeals, and eligibility issues;
• Housing and landlord-tenant matters arising from displacement or disaster impacts;
• Property ownership, title, boundary, and related real-property issues;
• Probate and small-estate matters affecting disaster recovery;
• Consumer protection, contractor disputes, predatory practices, scams, and fraud;
• Insurance and disaster-related financial issues;
• Public benefits and other legal issues affecting disaster survivors; and
• Other civil legal matters resulting from or complicated by disasters.

The DLS Staff Attorney will provide legal advice, brief services, and full representation, including preparation of legal documents and representation in administrative proceedings, negotiations, hearings, and litigation as appropriate. The attorney will also play an active role in community outreach, legal education, clinics, development of self-help resources, community-partner training, and building effective referral networks for disaster survivors.

The Staff Attorney will:

• Maintain and manage an active caseload of disaster-related civil legal matters;
• Interview clients, identify disaster-related legal issues, and develop appropriate case strategies;
• Provide advice, brief services, and direct representation to disaster survivors;
• Conduct legal research, factual investigation, document preparation, negotiations, administrative advocacy, and litigation as needed;
• Assist clients with FEMA and other disaster recovery processes when legal assistance is appropriate;
• Participate in community outreach, legal clinics, presentations, and educational events in disaster-impacted communities;
• Work collaboratively with Community Justice Workers and other DLS staff to identify emerging legal needs and connect affected communities with NMLA services;
• Develop and provide legal education and issue-spotting training for community organizations, disaster case managers, service providers, and other partners;
• Assist with the development and distribution of self-help, pro se, and community legal education materials;
• Establish and maintain relationships with courts, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, disaster recovery organizations, and other community partners;
• Participate in DLS program initiatives and special projects supporting disaster preparedness, response, and long-term recovery; and
• Maintain accurate and timely case records and other documentation necessary to support program and grant requirements.

Generalist Legal Services

The Staff Attorney will also maintain a limited generalist caseload and participate in the work of NMLA's Northern Offices. Generalist Staff Attorneys practice within NMLA's community-lawyering model and handle civil legal matters responsive to the needs of low-income clients and communities.

Depending on client and office needs, generalist matters may include:

• Family Law: domestic violence orders of protection, custody, kinship guardianship, and divorce;
• Housing: eviction defense, landlord-tenant disputes, mobile home matters, and housing subsidy issues;
• Consumer Protection: predatory lending, consumer banking matters, auto sales and lending, and deceptive commercial practices;
• Public Benefits: Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, SSI, Social Security, and related benefit-access matters; and
• Other civil legal matters consistent with NMLA priorities and community needs.

The attorney will provide advice, brief services, and full representation; prepare pleadings and other legal documents; represent clients in court and administrative proceedings; conduct legal research and factual investigation; and collaborate with other NMLA attorneys and advocates as appropriate. Because this is a generalist component, case types and priorities may change based on client and community needs, requiring adaptability and sound professional judgment.

Collaboration and Community Engagement

The Staff Attorney will work as part of both the Disaster Legal Services Program and NMLA's Northern Offices. The position requires collaboration across offices and practice areas and regular engagement with community organizations and service providers.

Because DLS serves communities across a broad geographic area, the position will require periodic travel for outreach events, clinics, community meetings, client services, and other program activities.

The attorney will be expected to balance DLS and generalist responsibilities in coordination with supervising attorneys and program leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree;
• Licensed to practice law in New Mexico, or ability to become licensed within six months of hire;
• Ability to manage an active caseload and multiple priorities effectively;
• Strong written and oral communication skills;
• Strong analytical skills and sound legal judgment;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively;
• Ability to establish effective relationships with clients, colleagues, courts, agencies, and community partners;
• Proficiency with computer technology, including case management systems, shared online workspaces, remote communication tools, and video conferencing platforms; and
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout Northern New Mexico and other areas as program needs require.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing civil legal services;
• Experience working with low-income, rural, underserved, or disaster-impacted communities;
• Experience with disaster legal services, FEMA matters, housing, property, probate, consumer, public-benefits, or related civil legal issues;
• Experience conducting community outreach, legal education, or training;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with community organizations and service providers; and
• Proficiency in Spanish.

NMLA offers a collaborative work environment and provides support for attorneys developing experience in new areas of practice. The organization handles a wide range of creative, challenging, and complex civil legal matters and seeks candidates who are strongly committed to serving low-income communities.

Compensation and Benefits

This position is part of a collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the union. Pay is determined by years of experience and set by a union scale outlined in the CBA (click here to view the salary scale).

Company Benefits:

• 100% employer-paid BCBS medical, plus dental and vision for employees
• Generous employer contributions toward dependent coverage
• Paid time off includes annual leave (starting at 3 weeks/year), 6 days personal time, 15 holidays, sick leave, and more
• Sabbatical program eligibility
• Hybrid work schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote each week).
• Full-time 37.5-hour work week
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer contributions and matching
• Meaningful mission-driven work serving New Mexico communities
• Click here for more information

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

Location: Santa Fe, Las Vegas, or Taos, New Mexico

Application Deadline: Until filled; applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Applicants must submit a current resume, three references, and a cover letter that explains your interest in this position and the mission of NMLA. Your application will not be considered unless we receive all of these documents. To apply, visit:

NMLA is an EEO Employer.