Appellate Attorney Assistant (U) #10117221-21600, Full-Time, At-Will, in Santa Fe, NM

Full-time, at-will position with the Administrative Office of the Courts (Business Unit 21600) in Santa Fe, NM. One opening; posted 10-19-2026.

About the role

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, thoughtful, and collaborative attorney with a strong interest in the development, interpretation, organization, and maintenance of New Mexico’s rules, forms, uniform jury instructions, and other procedural and practice materials. The position requires excellent analysis, legal writing, and editing skills, sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to earn and maintain the confidence of the Court while working professionally and effectively with committees of judges, attorneys, and other stakeholders. The successful candidate must serve as a trusted liaison, representing the Court with professionalism, diplomacy, and credibility while managing complex projects and synthesizing competing perspectives. Judicial law clerk experience is strongly preferred, as is a genuine appreciation for detailed, technical, handbook-style work and a commitment to producing precise, clear, accurate, and polished work product. Collaboration within the rules team and with the Clerk's Office is essential, as is the ability to communicate effectively, give and receive feedback professionally, and work under the administrative direction of a Justice or Judge, Chief Appellate Court Clerk, or supervising appellate attorney to provide legal advice, perform legal research and analysis, and make recommendations to the court.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to the court on legal matters as they arise in the course of court operations
• Assist the court with the exercise of its rulemaking authority and provide staff support for committees, boards, and commissions
• Draft recommendations and proposed dispositions for assigned cases
• Screen pro se petitions for jurisdiction and procedural prerequisites
• Assist the court to resolve pending appeals by reviewing motions, docketing statements, and briefs
• Recommend appropriate courses of action and dispositions
• Draft memoranda of law, proposed opinions, and orders for administrative appeals of record and de novo appeals
• Analyze briefs, records, and legal authorities cited
• Create proposed orders addressing petitions for extraordinary writs and motions in civil and criminal matters
• Evaluate 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
• Assist management on personnel issues and ensure compliance with applicable employment laws, rules, regulations, court and AOC policies and procedures
• Assist with Requests for Proposals and Invitations to Bid
• Prepare and make oral presentations, training, or continuing education at national, state, and local conferences
• Research proposed legislation, provide testimony, and participate in developing strategies for passage of legislation
• Oversee court-mandated programs
• Prepare curriculum or workshop materials for training and educational programs
• Ensure compliance with statutory deadlines and budgetary limitations
• Serve on statewide or local committees
• Maintain awareness of current developments in the law
• Respond 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
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Graduate of a law school meeting ABA accreditation standards
• Possess and maintain a license to practice law in the State of New Mexico
• Three (3) years of experience in the practice of applicable law or as a law clerk
• Knowledge of the United States and New Mexico constitutions, federal law, New Mexico case law, statutes, rules, policies, and procedures
• Knowledge of rules of Criminal and Civil Procedure, rules of Appellate Procedure, rules of evidence, the Code of Judicial Conduct, and rules of Professional Conduct
• Knowledge of court jurisdiction and operations, legal research, judiciary processes and policies, administrative, civil, and criminal law and procedures
• Knowledge of principles of legal analysis and writing, legal proofreading and editing, court case management systems, supervisory techniques, mediating and managing conflict
• Knowledge of 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

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.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Rx coverage
• Short and Long Term Disability Insurance Programs
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 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 (PERA)
• Flexible work schedules and alternative work locations
• Free health care, Rx, and lab work at the 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

Note: Benefits marked with an asterisk in the original posting vary by job classification or need.

Pay

Target pay range: $36.541 – $73.082 per hour, or $76,005 – $152,011 annually.

Schedule

Full-time; work schedule may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime. Flexible work schedules and alternative work locations are available.