Under the supervision of the Legal Deputy Director, the Senior Civil Liberties Attorney is a unique leadership position within the ACLU of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) Legal Department that uses litigation, appellate advocacy, legal analysis and education to promote the development of case law that protects and expands the liberties guaranteed under the New Mexico Bill of Rights. This position will work with civil rights lawyers around the state to develop New Mexico law to enhance justice, liberty, and equity

This is an exempt full-time position based in New Mexico and reporting to the Legal Deputy Director.

The ACLU of New Mexico is the state affiliate of the ACLU, the nation’s premier civil rights and civil liberties organization. The purpose of ACLU of New Mexico is to protect and advance justice, liberty and equity as guaranteed by the constitutions of New Mexico and the United States. As the largest civil liberties organization in the state with thousands of members, we tirelessly pursue large-scale impact that affects real people's lives. We work to make justice, liberty and equity realities for all people in New Mexico, with particular attention to the rights of people and groups who have historically been disenfranchised. For more information please visit www.aclu-nm.org

The ACLU of New Mexico has offices in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe and maintains a flexible hybrid work environment to best support the needs of our staff and the work. Most employees work from the office an average of 4-12 hours per week.

• Investigate, develop, and litigate cases at the trial and appellate levels in state court that offer the greatest opportunity to create new law under the New Mexico Constitution. This work includes fact investigation, client counseling, legal research, pleading and brief writing, discovery, motions practice and oral argument.
• Follow up with people who file complaints with the ACLU of New Mexico, conducting interviews, engaging in investigation and records review, and conducting research to determine whether further action by the ACLU of New Mexico is warranted.
• Track the development of civil rights jurisprudence in New Mexico appellate courts, searching for opportunities to influence the development of New Mexico state constitutional law through collaboration and amicus briefs. Engage and collaborate with civil rights lawyers to support their filings.
• Research and draft amicus briefs for the New Mexico Court of Appeals and the New Mexico Supreme Court to inform judicial opinions and advocate for a more expansive interpretation of the rights in our state’s Bill of Rights.
• Act as a public spokesperson in the media and other settings in conjunction with ACLU-NM litigation efforts.
• Recruit and supervise volunteer attorneys, legal fellows, interns and staff attorneys.
• Conduct education and outreach to the legal community to spread awareness and to recruit collaborating attorneys to partner on cases with us.
• Engage in legislative advocacy to push back against attempts by policymakers to weaken the New Mexico Civil Rights Act.
• Conduct “Know Your Rights” trainings to community members regarding rights enshrined in the New Mexico and United States Constitutions.
• Lead the effort, with support from the legal team, to organize and carry out an annual all-day CLE on the New Mexico Civil Rights Act for plaintiffs’ attorneys.
• Partner with the National ACLU and other ACLU affiliates and allied organizations to bring proactive litigation in state court under the NM Civil Rights Act.
• Partner with the National ACLU’s State Supreme Court Initiative on appellate advocacy.
• Collaborate with other ACLU-NM departments in carrying out the ACLU’s “integrated advocacy” approach.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to ACLU-NM staff attorneys.
• Assist the Legal Director and Deputy Legal Director in the preparation of reports and grant proposals.
• Assist the Legal Director and Deputy Legal Director in recruiting and hiring fellows and interns and cultivating relationships within the legal community.
• Proactively support the development of legal department vision and strategy.
• Contribute to the promotion of a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.
• As needed, contribute to fundraising efforts, including donor relations and participation in key events.
• Other duties, special projects, and tasks as assigned.

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant legal experience as a practicing attorney.
• A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.
• A strong and demonstrated commitment to civil liberties, civil rights and racial justice consistent with the mission and goals of the ACLU.
• Significant civil litigation experience. Previous experience in constitutional and/or civil rights litigation on the plaintiff’s side is a plus, as is experience supervising other attorneys.
• Ability to file and litigate cases independently and collaboratively; excellent problem-solving skills; can juggle multiple on-going projects and exercise good judgment under stressful situations.
• Strong research, writing, and presentation skills; ability to explain complex legal concepts to lawyers and non-lawyers; leadership and organizational skills in working with volunteer lawyers and cooperating attorneys; able to take initiative, think strategically, and share responsibility and credit.
• Must be a member of the New Mexico Bar (or willing to take the next bar examination).
• Cultural and social humility in the office with colleagues, in interactions with clients, and with community partners.
• Able to travel within and outside New Mexico.
• Able to work beyond a standard 8-hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings.

No one person will have all the qualities enumerated above. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are interested and feel you could be successful in this role.

This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary range of $99,944-$129,807, depending on experience. We offer excellent benefits, including employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance for employees; long-term disability and life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with an employer contribution and match of up to 5.5%; and vacation accrual that starts at 18 days per year in addition to sick leave and family and medical leave.