Job Description

Native American Program Litigation Specialist

Santa Ana, New Mexico

New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) provides civil legal services to low-income New Mexicans to promote family and economic stability, helping clients access food, shelter, security, and to preserve their unique cultural heritages. NMLA has locations throughout the state.

NMLA's Native American Program (NAP) provides free legal services – both civil and criminal – to eligible low-income Native Americans living on or near the 19 Pueblos and outreach services to the Mescalero Apache tribe in New Mexico. In addition to cases promoting family and economic stability, NAP prioritizes cases that impact the client's status as a Native American, and cases involving tribal and Indian law, estate planning involving tribal property, racial discrimination, and tribal criminal court cases. Much of NAP's caseload is comprised of cases in Pueblo courts, but the program handles poverty law issues coming up in other courts as well.

NAP does creative, challenging, and complex work in diverse client communities. We are looking for highly motivated candidates who are passionate and strongly committed to helping serve Native American communities, including developing effective team strategies to handle complex advocacy. In close partnership with the NAP Director, the NAP Litigation Specialist will support high quality representation and legal advocacy across the NAP program. The Litigation Specialist will provide general support on civil procedure, tribal criminal procedure, and trial practice across NAP's practice areas. The Litigation Specialist will coordinate strategic litigation and other advocacy efforts in NAP's case work, support NAP's advocates in furthering the program's priorities, and provide direction on NAP's substantive litigation work.

Duties: The NAP Litigation Specialist is responsible for the following tasks, under the supervision and direction of the NAP Director:

• Provides consultation and mentoring to NAP case handlers (e.g., Staff Attorneys, Paralegals, and interns). This includes at least monthly 1-on-1s with NAP case workers to review cases and provide mentorship.
• Carries a caseload as sole or co-counsel for low-income individuals with legal issues matching NAP's priorities.
• Oversees NAP intake, case acceptance, and case management.
• Organizes monthly advocacy-related training for NAP staff.
• Tracks NAP's case work to support Director's grant reporting and compliance oversight.
• Analyzes NAP applicants' needs to propose strategies that could have systemic impacts.
• Operates as primary point of contact for Pueblo courts in which NAP practices, receiving court appointments and overseeing NAP court admissions.

This position is part of NAP's leadership team and will be the center of visioning and planning NAP's advocacy. This position does not have any program reporting, office administration, or HR responsibilities.

Qualifications:

• Understanding of tribal law and federal and state Indian law, particularly in areas handled by NAP, including court procedures;
• Experience – lived or profession – in low-income tribal communities, preferably Pueblo communities;
• Experience as an attorney, including experience in tribal courts, on matters concerning the unique status of Native persons;
• Admission to practice law in New Mexico required, or ability to become licensed to practice in New Mexico within three months of hire and admission to practice in another state's jurisdiction;
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse team, including adjusting communication for a variety of cultural backgrounds and learning styles;
• Ability to take initiative to identify questions or barriers faced in their work, design and proposed solutions, and proactively communicate with team members who are working out of different offices;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Willingness and availability to travel across New Mexico;
• Ability to effectively use computer technology and remote communications systems, including shared online workspaces and web meeting and videoconferencing software, to effectively coordinate with and mentor staff located in multiple offices;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, manage a caseload, and build collaborative relationships within NMLA staff and the communities NAP serves.

Company Benefits:

• 100% employer-paid BCBS medical, plus dental and vision for employees; generous contributions for dependents

• 3 weeks vacation time, 6 days personal time, liberal sick pay

• Comp time for overtime and federal holidays off

• Hybrid work schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote – your choice!)

• 37.5-hour work week

• 403(b) Retirement Plan

• Competitive salary
• Click here for more information

Salary range is $69,376 - $100,547 depending on experience, plus comprehensive benefits, holiday, and leave packages. For information about NMLA's generous benefits, and what it is like to work at NMLA click her e.

The position is part of a collective bargaining agreement. Pay is determined by years of experience and set by a union scale; click here to view the salary scale.

Application deadline: November 30, 2025 , although the Hiring Committee may start to consider applications as they are submitted.

Applicants must submit a current resume and a cover letter in order to be considered. Your cover letter should include the ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above and explain your interest in this position and the mission of NMLA. Your application will not be considered unless we receive both of these documents. To apply, visit   

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