The New Mexico Department of Justice is seeking an exceptional attorney to serve as Senior Counsel for Impact Litigation. This is an opportunity to join a high-functioning, nationally recognized litigation team engaged in some of the most consequential legal work in the country.
The Senior Counsel will work on groundbreaking litigation on behalf of the State of New Mexico, including complex constitutional, consumer protection, and civil rights litigation. The position will be part of the team responsible for the State’s landmark litigation against Meta and other federal and state court litigation focused on protecting New Mexico’s interests and preserving our democracy.
This is not a conventional government-law position. We are looking for an attorney who wants to take on difficult cases, develop innovative legal strategies, work collaboratively with talented litigators, and have a meaningful impact on issues affecting New Mexicans and the country.
Why Join the New Mexico Department of Justice?
The Impact Litigation team handles cases that have the potential to change the law, hold powerful institutions accountable, and protect New Mexicans on issues of national significance.
Our attorneys have recently achieved a landmark victory against Meta, securing $942 million for New Mexico and significant changes to Meta’s platforms, and are pursuing other complex litigation involving some of the most important legal and constitutional issues facing the country.
This is an opportunity to join that work at a critical moment and help shape the next generation of impact litigation on behalf of the State.
Salary: $145,000–$150,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Responsibilities
- Identify issues having a broad impact on New Mexico residents and businesses; develop litigation strategy to challenge such practices, policies, and conduct; oversee factual investigation and lead litigation in state and/or federal court.
- Participate in all aspects of litigation, including investigation, case development, legal research, discovery, briefing, depositions, hearings, trial preparation, and appeals.
- Represent the State of New Mexico in federal and state court proceedings and, as appropriate, serve as lead or supporting counsel at hearings and trial.
- Develop innovative litigation strategies involving novel legal theories.
- Work closely with senior attorneys, investigators, experts, outside counsel, and agency partners to develop and present sophisticated cases.
- Analyze complex factual records and translate them into compelling legal arguments and litigation strategies.
- Draft high-level pleadings, dispositive motions, appellate briefs, discovery, and other litigation documents.
- Help manage complex litigation matters and contribute to case strategy from investigation through resolution.
- Work collaboratively across the New Mexico Department of Justice and with other state and federal entities.
- Represent the State with professionalism, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to public service.
Qualifications
Qualifications
Required:
- D. from an accredited law school and admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- Ability to lead and launch an investigation and fact development, develop legal claims and meaningful remedies, file litigation, and conduct or oversee pre-trial discovery, including any related motion practice.
- Minimum 6 years of significant civil litigation experience in any of the following fields: consumer protection, education, children’s rights, civil rights, constitutional law, administrative law, or other public interest issue areas.
- Demonstrated understanding of litigation strategy and civil procedure in federal or state courts.
- Experience with oral argument, hearings, and/or trial in court.
- Exceptional legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
- Ability to manage multiple complex matters and work effectively under significant time constraints.
- Strong judgment, attention to detail, and ability to operate independently as well as part of a team.
Preferred:
- Background in federal court or New Mexico state court litigation.
- Experience taking and defending depositions, arguing motions, or participating in evidentiary hearings or trial.
- Experience working on matters involving novel or unsettled areas of law.
- Experience working with experts, investigators, or complex factual records.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a high-level, highly motivated litigator who thrives in a fast-paced environment and wants to work on cases that matter.
You should be someone who:
- Wants to be in the courtroom and at the center of consequential litigation.
- Is comfortable tackling novel and complicated legal questions.
- Can move quickly without sacrificing quality or judgment.
- Is an exceptional writer and strategic thinker.
- Takes ownership of assignments and follows them through to completion.
- Is intellectually curious, creative, and willing to challenge conventional approaches.
- Can work effectively with a team and understand that great litigation is a team effort.
- Is confident enough to lead when necessary and collaborative enough to support others when that is what the case requires.
- Maintains composure and good judgment when deadlines are tight and the stakes are high.
- Is motivated by public service and the opportunity to use the law to achieve meaningful results for the people of New Mexico.
Application Process
Please click here to apply online: Senior Counsel – Impact Litigation – New Mexico Department of Justice