Public Benefits Attorney

Public Benefits Attorney

Public Benefits Attorney 150 150 NMCLP
New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty
Published
May 23, 2023
Location
Albuquerque
Category
Legal  Policy  
Job Type
Contact Name (not public)
Kelsey O'Keefe
Main Phone
5052552840

Description

The New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty seeks a full-time attorney to join our Public Benefits team to address hunger and improve the administration of the public safety net for low-income New Mexicans, including SNAP, TANF, childcare assistance, and other programs. 

NMCLP is a nationally recognized non-profit law firm that engages in systemic advocacy and impact litigation to advance the health, economic, and educational wellbeing of New Mexico’s families. We partner with our communities to provide advocacy and representation through the courts, the legislature and administrative agencies, community education, and media. To learn more about NMCLP, please visit our website at www.nmpovertylaw.org.

We seek a dynamic attorney to provide legal representation, litigation, regulatory comments and administrative advocacy, policy advocacy including legislative efforts, and community outreach and coalition-building. The role can be tailored to attorneys with management experience or provide opportunities for professional development to grow your management skills. 

Roles and Responsibilities: 

  • Plan and implement litigation and legal projects, and represent clients to investigate and resolve systemic legal issues.
  • Collaborate with other attorneys and/or outside co-counsel.
  • Conduct outreach, participate in coalition building, and collaborate with community partners to support community-driven advocacy and systems change
  • Conduct legislative and administrative advocacy campaigns.
  • Represent NMCLP in public appearances, meetings, in the media and other situations.
  • Provide technical assistance, support and training to attorneys and advocates.
  • Provide legal analysis, research and writing concerning existing and proposed law regulations, practices, and policies both for internal and external use.
  • Participate in the identification of issues for strategic planning, and reporting and evaluation activities.
  • Supervise law students and/or interns as needed. 
  • Other responsibilities as required. 

Required: minimum two years of legal experience; passionate about public benefits reform; excellent research, writing, and advocacy skills; ‘no-stone-unturned’ thoroughness and persistence; strong leadership skills and ability to problem-solve creatively; ability to develop expertise in complex regulations and policies; commitment to economic, racial, and gender justice. 

Preferred: three or more years of legal experience; management experience; Spanish, Indigenous language, or other language fluency; experience with lobbying, legislative, and government processes, budget analysis, media, and coalition building.

Things to know about the job: 

  • Full-time (40 hours)
  • Hybrid in-person and remote work, with some in-person events and occasional in-state and out-of-state travel. 
  • We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a healthy, collaborative, and inclusive work environment for a diverse staff. We strongly encourage applications from Black, Native, and indigenous people, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+, and New Mexicans and individuals of multiple backgrounds and identities.
  • We offer a competitive salary and a healthy benefits package: paid vacation, sick, and other leave (13 holidays including Juneteenth, Indigenous People’s Day and your birthday), paid parental level, 401k retirement plan, and opportunities for professional development.

How To Apply

Not sure if you meet all of the qualifications listed?  We recognize that no one person will. If you are interested in this job, we encourage you to apply in confidence by June 16, 2023, by emailing a resume and cover letter that describes what interests you about the mission of NMCLP to contact@nmpovertylaw.org.