NEW MEXICO JUDICIAL BRANCH RURAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE CLERKSHIP PROGRAM LAW CLERK 1 (U) #10118722-23500, Full-Time, At-Will, in Roswell, NM

About the role

The Fifth Judicial District Court is recruiting for one full-time, at-will, term Law Clerk 1 (U) position for the Rural Justice Initiative Clerkship Program in Roswell, NM. This position will require travel. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. This position will provide research, writing, and other assistance to district court judges at the district court level. Successful candidates may also assist with other court programs, including assistance to self-represented litigants, and will have numerous opportunities to interact with the local legal community.

Responsibilities

• Work as personal staff to the chief district judge, on assigned cases, perform legal research, analysis, writing, and editing.
• Prepares legal drafts by assembling and organizing information for legal forms and documents.
• Process complaints, declarations, discovery requests, responses, and other pleadings.
• Evaluates the merits of legal arguments by researching laws, statutes, constitutions, regulations, court opinions, and precedents.
• Analyzes and assesses the impact of applicable law.
• Assists in preparing for oral arguments, and “briefs-only” conferences.
• Maintains calendar by entering and updating requirements, court dates, and meetings.
• Performs legal research and analysis.
• Prepares and oversees bench memos for cases.
• Recommends appropriate court calendaring.
• Assembles case materials by collecting, organizing, and summarizing information, documents, reports, and evidence.
• Performs technical editing of legal documents.
• Drafts opinions, calendar notices, orders, memoranda, and decisions for review and final approval.
• Discusses confidential and sensitive issues with justices or judges.
• Participates in special projects, presentations, and training.

Qualifications

• Education: Must be a graduate of a law school meeting the standards of accreditation of the American Bar Association.
• Experience: One (1) year of experience performing legal research, analysis, writing, and editing while employed or as a student.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Rx, 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 time off, up to eight (8) weeks
• Paid time off and retirement buyback
• Eleven (11) paid holidays
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
• Lifetime Defined Benefits Retirement Plan
• 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

Schedule

Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Pay

The salary for these positions is fixed at $78,000 per year, plus all judicial branch benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Fifth Judicial District Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer.