New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) provides civil legal services to low-income New Mexicans for a variety of legal issues including domestic violence/family law, consumer protection, housing, and benefits. NMLA has locations throughout the state including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Gallup, Roswell, Silver City, Las Vegas, Taos, and Santa Ana.
New Mexico Legal Aid seeks a Paralegal to provide Legal Assistance for the Victims Program. This project offers services statewide.
The Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Program is intended to increase availability of civil assistance needed to effectively aid adult and youth victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking by providing funds for comprehensive direct legal services to victims in legal matters relating to or arising out of the abuse of violence. Comprehensive legal services extend beyond representation in emergency and non-emergency protection order hearings to address the broad spectrum of legal issues that victims encounter, including family matters such as divorce, child custody or child support, immigration, administrative agency proceedings, and consumer or housing matters.
Legal assistance is in civil (excluding torts) or administrative matters; criminal justice investigations, prosecutions of the offender, and post-conviction matter that impact victim’s safety, privacy or other interests as victim; alternative dispute resolution, restorative practices, or other processes that promote victim safety, privacy and autonomy and offender accountability; post-conviction relief proceedings in state, local, Tribal, or territorial court. All matters must be related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking victimization.
For this position, under the supervision of the managing attorney, the Paralegal will be responsible for litigation support and assistance to victim's rights attorneys, direct advocacy and victims.
The paralegal duties will include:
• Processing intakes.
• General support to attorneys in preparation for court.
• Litigation support.
• Drafting pleadings, correspondence and preparation of other written materials.
• Communicating successfully and respectfully with clients.
• Sending referrals to other support service agencies.
• Engaging in outreach.
• Providing/arranging training to victims' rights advocates.
• Collection of client data.
• Maintaining client information in a database.
• May be required to:
o Attend court with clients.
o Assist them with obtaining financial aid.
o Monitor cases for victim's rights violations requiring attorney involvement.
• Experience as a Paralegal is preferred but will consider exceptionally well-qualified entry-level candidates.
• Experience as a victim advocate and/or victim advocate certification strongly preferred.
• Highly organized.
• Familiar with electronic document tracking and must be able to effectively use computer technology, including Microsoft products and remote communications systems, including shared on-line workspaces and web meeting and videoconferencing software, and to collaborate with staff located in multiple offices.
• Candidates also must possess excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Skills to build collaborative relationships within the staff and the community served by NMLA.
• Willing to travel.
Preferred Qualifications
• Proficiency in Spanish is a plus.
• Federal Court experience preferred.
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. clicking here to apply. As an alternative, you can email the applicant packet to [email protected].
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
