Associate General Counsel

• 503663
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Jun 21 2026 - 23:55 MDT
  
  

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Department Contact: Anna Herrera, faithful@nmsu.edu

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: New Mexico State University (NMSU) seeks a highly efficient, organized and productive attorney to serve as Associate General Counsel. The selected candidate will report to the General Counsel and work with other university attorneys, outside counsel and university administrators.

The successful candidate will be responsible for timely responding to public records disclosure requests (IPRA), subpoenas, and discovery requests. Additionally, the incumbent will work on state procurement and contracting matters, as well as property, employment and other business transactions.

Other matters may include civil rights, public entity law, academic and student affairs, litigation support, intellectual property, and other higher education issues.

This position requires excellent writing skills, good business judgment, and the ability to work under limited supervision.

NMSU is an equal opportunity employer.

Select the link for the complete job announcement and apply.

Position Details

Position Title: Associate General Counsel

College/Division: President's Office

Department: 480200-UNIVERSITY GENERAL COUNSEL

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $115,000 to $120,000 commensurate with qualifications.

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule

Job Duties and Responsibilities: The staff attorney in this position provides or assists in the delivery of legal services to organizational units of the institution, under limited supervision. The attorney works directly with other in-house attorneys, outside counsel, and university administrators, providing legal advice and services including compliance advice, document drafting on a broad range of legal issues, including academic and student affairs, athletics, contracts, procurement, litigation support, civil rights, international programs, employment matters an other legal issues in higher education. The attorney will also coordinate the University's responses to discovery, subpoenas, and open records requests. The attorney will maintain and update legal matter records utilizing electronic file management and research systems, including CLIO, Just FOIA, and others.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

Required Education: Juris Doctorate from ABA accredited law school or equivalent accreditation; Required Experience: Five (5) years of professional experience directly related to the standard duties as outlined (with a target of at least five (5) years of higher education legal experience in one or more relevant areas).

Equivalent Qualifications

Five years of experience in employment law, insurance defense litigation, intellectual property, and/or complex contracting will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

Higher education, employment law, government contracting, and public records disclosure experience preferred.

Special Certification/Licensure

Member of the State Bar or eligibility to apply to obtain approval within six months of hiring.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

Recruitment Summary

We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.

NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.

NMSU Global Campus

Since 1888, NMSU has proudly embodied this tradition, building relationships that last a lifetime while serving students who want to earn their degree and grow in their field. Today, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives – and the lives of the people they love – through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.

NMSU Main Campus

Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.

Doña Ana Community College

Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance. 

Alamogordo Campus

Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated “on the hill” above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.

Grants Campus

NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.

Special Instructions to Applicants

The electronic application is the *official* document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.

EEO Statement

New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.