Mexico Judicial Branch Rural Justice Initiative Clerkship Program Law Clerk ; U

Overview

Business Unit: 23600

Position: NEW MEXICO JUDICIAL BRANCH RURAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE CLERKSHIP PROGRAM LAW CLERK 1 (U) #, Full-Time, At-Will, in Deming, NM

Number of Positions: 1

Department: Administrative Office of the Courts

Opening Date: 02-04-2026 Close Date: --

Target Pay Range/Rate: $37.50 hourly or $78,000 annually

The Sixth Judicial District Court is recruiting for a full-time, at-will, Law Clerk 1 position # for the Rural Justice Initiative Clerkship program in Deming, New Mexico. This position will provide research, writing, and other assistance to district court judges at the district court level. Successful candidates may also assist with other court programs, including assistance to self-represented litigants, and will have opportunities to interact with the local legal community.

Work as personal staff to the chief district judge, or supervising judge, on assigned cases, perform legal research, analysis, writing, and editing. Finalist(s) may be subject to criminal background checks.

This clerkship position is part of the New Mexico Judicial Branch’s Rural Justice Initiative, a program designed to inspire new lawyers to foster deep community connections and embrace practicing law in rural communities. Law clerks hired under this initiative are at-will positions serving at the pleasure of the chief district court judge. The clerkships may last up to two years. The salary for these positions is fixed at $78,000 per year, plus all judicial branch benefits.

• The Law Clerk is responsible for reviewing cases, analyzing briefs, records and legal authorities cited.
• Prepares legal drafts by assembling and organizing information for legal forms and documents.
• Process complaints, declarations, discovery requests, responses, and other pleadings.
• Evaluates the merits of legal arguments by researching laws, statutes, constitutions, regulations, court opinions, and precedents.
• Analyzes and assesses the impact of applicable law.
• Assists in preparing for oral arguments, and “briefs-only” conferences.
• Assembles case materials by collecting, organizing, and summarizing information, documents, reports, and evidence.
• Maintains calendar by entering and updating requirements, court dates, and meetings.
• Performs legal research and analysis.
• Prepares and oversees bench memos for cases.
• Recommends appropriate court calendaring.
• Assists with and delegates in-court functions and processes.
• Reviews and analyzes records and transcripts.
• Performs technical editing of legal documents.
• Drafts opinions, calendar notices, orders, memoranda, and decisions for review and final approval.
• Discusses confidential and sensitive issues with justices or judges.
• Participates in special projects, presentations, and training.

THE NEW MEXICO JUDICIARY:
The Mission of the New Mexico Judiciary is to protect the rights and liberties of the people of New Mexico guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the State and the United States; to resolve legal disputes fairly, and to ensure access to justice for all.

The Supreme Court is the highest court of the Judicial Branch of State Government. Its jurisdiction includes capital appeals, supervisory control over other courts, attorney regulation, and statewide administrative oversight.

The Court of Appeals is the state’s intermediate appellate court, with jurisdiction over most appeals. The New Mexico District Courts exist to serve the community by providing equal access to justice and to carry out their core constitutional function through various means, including jury trials, mediation, and other dispute resolution methods.

The successful applicant should demonstrate knowledge of the United States and New Mexico constitutions, federal law, New Mexico case law, statutes, rules, policies and procedures; legal terminology; rules of professional conduct; court jurisdiction and operations; legal research and writing; and familiarity with New Mexico case law and statutes.

The following functions are representative of the work environment. Work…