What are the responsibilities and job description for the General Counsel position at Economic Development Department?
Job Description
The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED), Office of the Secretary, seeks a seasoned legal professional to serve as its General Counsel. This role will manage public records requests, subpoenas, and discovery matters; draft, review, and negotiate contracts; and offer solution-oriented legal advice to internal stakeholders. The position also includes litigation support, regulatory representation, and policy development, while ensuring compliance with ethical and professional standards. As a senior member of the agency, the incumbent will directly supervise one FTE, collaborate with leadership and agency partners, and lead the constituent services legal portfolio. Regular communication with executive leadership is expected, along with participation in departmental committees and projects. Candidates must hold a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school, possess at least ten years of relevant legal experience, and be eligible for licensure in New Mexico. This full-time role is based in Santa Fe and requires proficiency in managing digital records and extended periods of office-based work.
Key responsibilities:
- Respond to public records disclosure requests (IPRA) in a timely manner
- Handle subpoenas and discovery requests
- Work on state procurement and contracting matters
- Engage in intellectual property and business transactions
- Address employment law issues and civil rights matters
- Provide legal support for public entity law and academic affairs
- Assist with litigation support and other higher education legal issues
- Provide legal advice on various staff and faculty employment issues
- Reviews, revises, drafts, negotiates, and/or approves contracts and other legal documents
- Analyzes and renders practical and solution-oriented advice regarding complex legal issues in a variety of practice areas
- Demonstrates the ability to express ideas, opinions, and legal concepts clearly, effectively, and accurately, both orally and in writing to non-lawyers
- Represents NMHED and its subsidiaries and affiliates in administrative or regulatory proceedings, with or without outside counsel
- Participates as assigned in policy development and other NMHED administrative assignments to ensure compliance and best practices
- Supervises work performed by department Constituent Services Coordinator
- Collaborates with other state agency Offices of General Counsel and other agency stakeholders, and coordinates legal services as needed in assigned practice areas
- Participates in projects as assigned
- Attends continuing legal education seminars as necessary to expand knowledge in practice area(s) and to maintain law license
- Observes all professional rules of responsibility and performs work in accordance with highest ethical standards
- Conducts work with integrity and responsibility
- Communicates regularly with Cabinet Secretary, Deputy Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff regarding work performed for the HEIs
- This position serves as the agency General Counsel and leads the office’s constituent services team, and may either lead or be a member of other teams in the office
- This role participates in committees and other projects as assigned by the Cabinet Secretary, the Deputy Cabinet Secretary, or the Chief of Staff
Minimum qualifications:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of legal practice experience in a relevant area, having attained a senior position of responsibility in firm, corporation, government agency, or other organization that employs the individual; hold a JD degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be a member in good standing of the Bar of the state or recognized jurisdiction in which the individual practices law; and have the prompt eligibility for such license and standing in New Mexico.
This position is based in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Work is performed in an office setting, with extensive exposure to VisualVideo Display Terminal (VDT), personal computer, printer, cellphone, copy machine, scanner, keyboard, and digital records with extended periods of sitting.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $115,000.00 - $135,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $115,000 - $135,000