Volunteer Attorney Program Manager

Volunteer Attorney Program Manager
Las Cruces or Southern New Mexico

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 Pueblo.

New Mexico Legal Aid is seeking a dynamic and creative leader to serve as Manager of our statewide Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP). This position requires collaboration with the Pro Bono Committees of the various Judicial Districts, the State Bar of New Mexico and the New Mexico Commission on Access to Justice.

NMLA, the State Bar and the Commission on Access to Justice are committed to building and maintaining one of the most successful and innovative pro bono projects in the country. The VAP Manager will work closely with the VAP Director, practice group and rural office managers, State Bar leaders, Courts, local Judicial District pro bono committees, individual private attorneys and law firms, law school faculty and student groups, and civil legal services partner agencies throughout the state to achieve maximum potential of pro bono initiatives for providing representation and other forms of legal assistance to low-income New Mexicans.

The VAP Manager will be responsible for collaborating with the overall function of the VAP, supervising (4) full-time-equivalent staff (statewide pro bono coordinator, paralegals, and community justice workers), working with project partners, Bar leaders and volunteers from throughout the state, and:

• Assisting the VAP Director in:
• implementing NMLA and LSC policies related to VAP and in monitoring compliance
• developing and updating VAP procedures as initiatives evolve
• identifying and implementing solutions to improve efficiency, communication, and client service
• developing VAP training materials for volunteer attorneys, including continuing legal education (CLE) courses and print, audio, and video resource materials on legal topics needed to serve low-income New Mexicans
• developing new high-impact pro bono projects for New Mexico's diverse client populations, particularly those living in rural areas of the state
• Acting as a liaison with other New Mexico Legal Aid practice group and rural office managers
• Drafting regular reports for NMLA, Access to Justice (ATJ) and LSC
• Developing and maintaining relationships with volunteer attorneys, providing support to them when needed
• Assisting in planning volunteer attorney appreciation events and other recognition
• Problem-solving issues that arise related to VAP, including follow-up with clients, VAP attorneys, or other people and entities
• Reviewing and assigning case referrals, helping to identify research needs, recruitment strategies, and necessary compliance documentation
• Expanding the number of pro bono attorneys willing to provide pro bono services, especially in key areas such as family law, housing and consumer law
• Assisting the Statewide Pro Bono Coordinator in organizing, recruiting volunteer attorneys for, and conducting legal clinics and events throughout New Mexico

We are looking for highly motivated candidates who are passionate and strongly committed to helping NMLA and our statewide pro bono partners better serve our client community.

The position will be located in Las Cruces or Southern New Mexico but will require periodic travel around the State.

• Three (3) or more years' experience as a practicing attorney;
• Admission to practice in New Mexico required or ability to qualify for a limited license;
• Candidates must possess excellent written and oral communication skills;
• The ability to manage multiple tasks;
• Enthusiasm for building collaborative relationships within the State Bar and the statewide pro bono community;
• Must be willing to travel;
• Proficiency in technology such as virtual meeting platforms (Zoom and Teams), Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Prior experience in administrative, supervisory, or training roles is a plus;
• Prior experience working with pro bono…