Attorney Senior (U) #00049359-24300, Full-Time, At-Will in Bernalillo, Los Lunas or Grants, NM

Administrative Office of the Courts

Business Unit: 24300

Attorney Senior (U) #00049359-24300, Full-Time, At-Will in Bernalillo, Los Lunas or Grants, NM

# of Positions: 1

Opening Date: 04-08-2026 - Close Date: 05-27-2026

Target Pay Range/Rate: $39.085-$60.717per hr or $81,297-$126,291.36 annually

The Thirteenth Judicial District Court is recruiting for an Attorney Senior to join its staff attorney division. The district encompasses Sandoval, Valencia, and Cibola counties, and the position will be located in Bernalillo, Los Lunas, or Grants, at the candidate’s preference, with the option of remote work up to three days a week. Staff attorneys provide legal recommendations and drafting for judges across the district on a wide variety of civil and criminal matters. The work is challenging, varied, and intellectually engaging, and the ideal candidate will have excellent research and analytical skills, the ability to manage tasks independently, and a commitment to producing high-quality written work.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The Thirteenth Judicial District Court’s staff attorneys provide legal research and drafting for judges throughout the district. Acting under the general direction of the supervising attorney, the Attorney Senior performs legal research and analysis and makes written recommendations to the judges on matters of varying complexity across the spectrum of civil and criminal law. Typical work includes reviewing briefing, performing independent research, and drafting recommendations and orders on fully briefed motions, decisions in administrative appeals to the district court, findings of fact and conclusions of law after a bench trial or evidentiary hearing, procedural orders, and legal memoranda. The Attorney Senior may sit in on hearings and trials, and miscellaneous duties may include acting as a special master, drafting policies and procedures, and serving on court committees. This job has no formal supervisory functions, but may involve peer review of other attorneys’ work.

Examples Of Job Duties

• The Attorney – Senior is responsible for reviewing cases, performing legal research, and identifying, analyzing, and assessing the impact of applicable law.
• May train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate performance.
• Assists the Supreme Court with the exercise of its constitutional rulemaking authority and provides staff support for their rulemaking committees, boards, and commissions.
• Drafts recommendations and proposed dispositions for assigned cases.
• Screens pro se petitions for jurisdiction and procedural prerequisites.
• Responds on behalf of the Supreme Court 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.
• Leads the reviews and 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.
• 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.
• Creates proposed orders addressing petitions for extraordinary writs and motions in civil and criminal matters.
• Evaluates court processes and formulate, recommend and implement policies and procedures to ensure uniform compliance with statutory and constitutional provisions, case law and Supreme Court Rules.
• Assists management on personnel issues and ensures compliance with applicable employment laws, rules, regulations, court, and AOC policies, and procedures.
• May assist with requests for proposals and invitations to bid.
• Develops judicial procedures and documentation for conducting stream adjudication and provides legal direction to judges and courts related to stream adjudication cases.
• Prepares and makes oral presentations, training or continuing education at national, state and local conferences.
• Attends trials and hearings, and meets with court administration and staff on legal or court matters.
• Researches proposed legislation, provide testimony and participate in developing strategies for passage of legislation.
• Oversees and assesses the appropriateness of mediation or a dispute resolution process for a case and conducts mediation or a dispute resolution process subject to the applicable standards of confidentiality.
• Leads joint discussion with all parties, and conducts private discussions with each party, identifies issues, contentions, and interests and develops a constructive working environment that generates discussion of options for resolution.
• Oversees and encourages negotiations extending beyond the initial conference through subsequent conversations or additional conferences.
• Facilitates settlements until an agreement is reached or until settlement does not appear to be possible.
• Oversees court mandated programs.
• Communicates, supports, and develops working relationships with associated parties.
• Prepares curriculum or workshop materials for training and educational programs.
• Ensures compliance with statuary deadlines and budgetary limitations.
• May serve on statewide or local committees.
• 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 driver's license and travel may be required. The assigned work schedule may include nights, weekends, holidays and overtime. The employee must regularly interact positively with co-workers, clients, the public, judges, and justices.

• This job description is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions performed
  
  

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 vacation and sick leave up to eight (8) weeks
• Eleven (11) paid holidays
• 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*
• What are your benefits worth? Click here to find out
  
  

*These benefits vary by job classification or need*

Qualifications

• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• 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.
• Experience Substitution: None.
• OR
• Experience: If assigned the supervision of one (1) legal staff employee, five (5) years of experience in the practice of applicable law, of which one (1) year must have been as a supervisor.
• Experience Substitution: None.
• Supervisory Substitution: Leadworker duties may be considered on a prorated basis for supervisory experience at a rate of one (1) year equals six (6) months. Leadworker assigned duties may include the development of employee performance plans and appraisals, discipline and approval of time for assigned staff. An additional one (1) year of directly related experience may substitute for the supervisory experience provided the incumbent attends the NMJB Supervisory Mentorship Program Training at their earliest opportunity.
  
  

TO APPLY: Submit a cover letter, a NM Judicial Branch Employment Application or a Resume and Resume Supplemental Form, law school transcript (other transcripts are not required), and a writing sample of no more than fifteen pages by 11:59 PM May 27th, 2026 to:

Application Forms

Microsoft Word Format

Adobe PDF Format

Resume Supplemental Forms

Microsoft Word Format

Adobe PDF Format Thirteenth Judicial District Court Attn: Human Resources 1835 Hwy 314 SW, 3rd floor P.O. Box 1089 Los Lunas, NM 87031 13thjdchr-grp@nmcourts.gov

Proof Of Education Required.

You may contact Martha Mulvany, Attorney Supervisor, at berdmem@nmcourts.gov or (505) 867-2376 ext. 1170 with any questions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER