Housing/Economic Equity Attorney

The New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty seeks a full-time attorney to advance housing justice and consumer protections for New Mexico’s families. 

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 an attorney to work with community leaders throughout New Mexico to increase and enforce housing and consumer rights in New Mexico. NMCLP’s Economic Equity team partners with communities and policymakers for policy changes that advance housing stability, increase affordable housing options, and improve and enforce the rights of New Mexico renters. The team works with a broad network of community partners, leaders, advocates, and attorneys. 

While housing justice is this role's primary focus, there will be opportunity to advocate on a variety of legal and policy issues that are priorities for our communities. The role can be tailored to attorneys with management experience or provide 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, 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 laws, 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: 1 year or more litigation or direct representation experience; passionate about housing and fair lending/debt collection reform; ‘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: 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 work model, with the primary work location based in Albuquerque NM, requiring some physical presence at the office and attendance at in-person meetings 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 leave, 401k retirement plan, and opportunities for professional development.

• 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 emailing a resume and cover letter that describes what interests you about the mission of NMCLP to contact@nmpovertylaw.org. Position will be open until filled, with first consideration given to applications received by November 8, 2024. 
• If applying for other open attorney positions, please submit one application with both positions named in your cover letter.