Appellate Attorney Associate (U) or Appellate Attorney Assistant (U)

Business Unit: 21600

Appellate Attorney Associate (U) or Appellate Attorney Assistant (U) #00000089-21600, Full-Time, At-Will, in Santa Fe, NM

# of Positions: 1

Opening Date: 07-15-2026 - Close Date: -

Target Pay Range/Rate: Associate $39.085-$78.170/ hr or $81,297/ yr or Assistant $36.179/ hr or $75,252/ yr

The New Mexico Supreme Court is recruiting for a full-time, classified, Appellate Attorney – Associate (At-Will), or Appellate Attorney – Assistant (At-Will), #000000089-21600 for the Supreme Court in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

IDEAL CANDIDATE: The ideal candidate is a highly adaptable, collaborative professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is able to take on a wide variety of responsibilities in support of the Court. This position requires excellent judgment, strong legal research and writing skills, and the ability to transition between complex legal work, court administration, case-related responsibilities, public records requests, committee support, and other operational needs. The successful candidate will be flexible, dependable, organized, and committed to providing high level support wherever it is needed. Prior law clerk or other judicial branch experience is strongly preferred.

Appellate Attorney Associate (U):
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Acting under general direction of a Justice or Judge, Chief Appellate Court Clerk, or a supervising appellate attorney provides legal advice, performs legal research and analysis, and makes recommendations to the court.

EXAMPLES OF JOB DUTIES: The Appellate Attorney – Associate (At-Will) is responsible for drafting recommendations and proposed dispositions for assigned cases, memorandum opinions, judgements, orders, and decisions for review.

Assists the Court with the exercise of its constitutional rulemaking authority and provides staff support for the Court’s rulemaking committees, boards, and commissions.

May screen pro se petitions for jurisdictional and procedural prerequisites.

May respond to correspondence, e-mails and telephone calls from pro se litigants, inmates, attorneys, and members of the public.

Assists the Court to resolve pending appeals by reviewing motions, docketing statements and briefs.

Drafts calendar recommendations, notices, orders, and opinions.

May perform review of disposition of Driving While Intoxicated and Domestic Violence cases on appeal from Metropolitan Court and reviews cases on appeal from Motor Vehicle Department license revocation hearings.

Analyzes briefs, records, and legal authorities cited.

Assists in providing justices and judges with information and recent opinions to ensure compliance with current law.

May draft memoranda of law, proposed opinions and orders for administrative appeals of record and de novo appeals, including addressing complex areas of the law such as water, oil and gas, taxation, employment and zoning.

May draft proposed orders addressing petitions for extraordinary writs and motions in civil and criminal matters.

Reviews, analyzes, and edits findings of fact and conclusions of law. Evaluates court processes and formulates, recommends and implements policies and procedures to ensure uniform compliance with statutory and constitutional provisions, case law and Supreme Court Rules.

May evaluate proposed rule changes, draft comments and attend trials and hearings.

Meet with and advise Justices, Judges or other staff on legal matters as they arise in the course of court operations.

May assist management on personnel issues and ensure compliance with applicable employment laws, rules, regulations, court and AOC policies and procedures.

May assist with Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations to Bid (ITBs).

May serve on statewide or local committees and provide training at national, state and local conferences.

May assist in tracking, reviewing, analyzing, and advising the court on proposed legislation.

Other duties as assigned.

Attorney – Assistant (At-Will):

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES Acting under administrative direction of a Justice or Judge, Chief Appellate Court Clerk, or a supervising appellate attorney provides legal advice, performs legal research and analysis, and makes recommendations to the court.

EXAMPLES OF JOB DUTIES:

The Appellate Attorney – Assistant (At-Will) is responsible for providing support to the court on legal matters as they arise in the course of court operations.

Assists the court with the exercise of its rulemaking authority and provides staff support for committees, boards, and commissions.

Drafts recommendations and proposed dispositions for assigned cases.

May screen pro se petitions for jurisdiction and procedural prerequisites.

Assists the court to resolve pending appeals by reviewing motions, docketing statements, and briefs.

Recommends appropriate courses of action and dispositions.

Drafts memoranda of law, proposed opinions, and orders for administrative appeals of record and de novo appeals.

Analyzes briefs, records, and legal authorities cited.

May create proposed orders addressing petitions for extraordinary writs and motions in civil and criminal matters.

Evaluates court processes and formulates, recommends and implements policies and procedures to ensure uniform compliance with statutory and constitutional provisions, case

law and Supreme Court Rules.

May Assist management on personnel issues and ensure compliance with applicable employment laws, rules, regulations, court and AOC policies and procedures.

May assist with Requests for Proposals and Invitations to Bid.

May prepare and make oral presentations, training, or continuing education at national, state and local conferences.

May research proposed legislation, provide testimony and participate in developing strategies for passage of legislation.

May oversee court-mandated programs.

May prepare curriculum or workshop materials for training and educational programs.

Ensures compliance with statuary deadlines and budgetary limitations.

May serve on statewide or local committees.

Maintains awareness of current developments in the law.

Responds to correspondence, emails, telephone calls, and in-person information requests from pro se litigants, inmates, attorneys, judges, court staff, government employees, and members of the public.

Other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES/QUALIFICATIONS:
The successful applicant should demonstrate knowledge of United States and New Mexico constitutions, federal law, New Mexico case law, statutes, rules, policies, and procedures; rules of Criminal and Civil procedures, rules of Appellate Procedure, rules of evidence, the Code of Judicial Conduct, and rules of Professional Conduct. Court jurisdiction and operations; legal research; judiciary processes and policies, administrative, civil and criminal law and procedures. Principles of legal analysis and writing, legal proofreading and editing; court case management systems; supervisory techniques, mediating and managing conflict. Employment law; and conflict resolution principles and techniques. Ability to balance practical and legal considerations, develop procedures, comprehend and explain complex issues and solve problems.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The following functions are representative, but not all-inclusive of the work environment and physical demands an employee may expect to encounter in performing tasks assigned to this job. Work is performed in an office or court setting. A valid drivers license and travel may be required. The assigned work schedule may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime. The employee must regularly interact positively and professionally with co-workers, clients, the public, judges, and justices.

BENEFITS:

Medical/Dental/Vision/Rx, Short, and Long-Term Disability Insurance Programs, employee assistance program (EAP) [http://www.mybenefitsnm.com/]

State paid life insurance, supplemental and dependent life insurance

Optional flexible spending accounts for medical, day-care, and travel expenses

Paid time off, up to eight (8) weeks accrued annually

Paid time off and retirement buyback

Eleven (11) paid holidays annually

Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave

Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan

Lifetime Defined Benefits Retirement Plan [http://www.nmpera.org/]

Flexible work schedules and alternative work locations*

Free health care, Rx, and lab work at the facility (Stay Well Health Center) in Santa Fe, NM

Bilingual compensation*

Training and career development opportunities

Higher education opportunities, educational leave, and tuition reimbursement

May qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

May receive overtime holiday or shift differential pay*

May receive physical fitness leave*

*These benefits vary by job classification or need*

QUALIFICATIONS

• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Appellate Attorney Associate (U):

• Education: Must be a graduate of a law school meeting the standards of accreditation of the American Bar Association; possess and maintain a license to practice law in the State of New Mexico.

• Education Substitution: None.

• Experience: Five (5) years of experience in the practice of applicable law, or as a law clerk.

• Experience Substitution: None.

• Attorney – Assistant (At-Will):

• Education: Must be a graduate of a law school meeting the standards of accreditation of the American Bar Association; possess and maintain a license to practice law in the State of New Mexico.

• Education Substitution: None.

• Experience: three (3) years of experience in the practice of applicable law or as a law clerk.

• Experience Substitution: None

TO APPLY: Submit a New Mexico Judicial Branch Application for Employment, or a Resume and a Resume Supplemental form, and proof of education to:

New Mexico Supreme Court

Attn: Francesca Martinez

237 Don Gaspar

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

Email: supfbm@nmcourts.gov

Phone: (505) 946-7296

PROOF OF EDUCATION IS REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR EMPLOYMENT.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER