$38.80 – $62.09 Hourly
$80,713 – $129,140 Annually
This position is a Pay Band LI
Posting Details
Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.
Why does the job exist?
The Office of the Attorney General is charged with representing the state of New Mexico in a wide array of matters, both civil and criminal in nature, from state and federal courts to administrative proceedings and other appearances.
This position is based in Santa Fe in the agency’s Tobacco Bureau. The Attorney General is charged with enforcement of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA), a 1998 agreement between the largest cigarette manufactures and 46 states that has provided over $800M in funding to New Mexico since 1999. The bureau manages ongoing national arbitration as well as affirmative litigation against tobacco manufactures, distributors, and retailers that attempt to evade payment under the MSA or violate state law. The position will work closely with other attorneys and staff in the bureau, the Department of Taxation and Revenue, and state and national public and private organizations to identify and develop strategies and manage litigation that protects the public and State of New Mexico.
The Tobacco Bureau is located within the Government Litigation Division, which is involved in some of the state’s most dynamic civil litigation, including representing New Mexico, state agencies, state public officials, the judiciary, and the Office of the Attorney General. The division provides civil administrative prosecution for over 30 state professional licensing boards and commissions, assists the Office of the Solicitor General with civil appeals, litigates in federal courts, defends and initiates extraordinary writs, and is involved in many other matters involving the legal needs of the state and its government. The position will primarily focus on tobacco-related matters, but may assigned to assist with other civil litigation with the Government Litigation Division as needed.
How does it get done?
The Tobacco Bureau works closely among its staff and attorneys to oversee the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement and related litigation. As a senior attorney, the position will be responsible for managing complex cases and assist with training and development of other attorneys and staff as needed. Key responsibilities include:
Affirmative Tobacco Litigation: at the direction of the Tobacco Bureau Chief, manage affirmative litigation matters under the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement or other tobacco-related litigation. This includes regular collaboration with other state attorney generals’ offices, the National Association of Attorneys General, state agencies, public interest organizations, outside counsel and experts, any other organizations and individuals. May be called upon to assist with legislative and policy projects.
Master Settlement Agreement and Arbitrations: assist the Tobacco Bureau Chief with matters related to compliance, enforcement, and arbitration under the MSA.
Other Division Duties as Assigned: assist with other responsibilities in the division, which may include civil litigation representing state agencies, defending judicial writs, assist with internal and external trainings, mentor attorneys, and other matters assigned by the division director or bureau chief.
Collaboration with Other Divisions: collaborate with other divisions in the agency as needed or as assigned, specifically including including matters related to public health and tobacco or related products, but also may include appellate litigation, multi-state litigation, criminal affairs, and other legal and policy matters. As a senior attorney, serve as a subject matter expert as appropriate on special projects when needed.
Who are the customers?
The Attorney General is the state’s attorney and the work of an Assistant Attorney General is broadly done for the state of New Mexico.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have a passion for public service and history of managing litigation with some or all of the following experience or skills:
1. Substantive experience in major multi-state litigation at the trial and appellate leveI, including experience with arbitrations, consent decrees, and complex settlements with large national firms as opposing counsel.
2. Significant discovery experience managing large and complex cases and handling large document productions.
3. Public policy and administrative law experience that includes reading, interpreting, and applying a statutes and regulations. Experience drafting regulations and legislation is also preferred.
4. Broad experience or demonstrated interest in working for or with government entities as an attorney, including as a staff attorney, in an office of general counsel, prosecutor, or as a contract attorney.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, experience presenting in court and other tribunals, proficiency learning new technology, and interest in working collaboratively with a team that includes internal and external partners.
Minimum Qualification
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and five (5) years of experience in the practice of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or qualified to apply for limited practice license (Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA). For more information on limited practice licenses, please visit http://nmexam.org/limited-license/
Substitutions may apply. See Substitution Table below.
Substitution Table
No substitutions. Must possess required licensure, certification or registration and required number of years of experience
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment as some statewide travel maybe required. Employment requires successful completion of post offer pre-employment physical and is subject to criminal background check and is conditional pending results of criminal background check. Must be a citizen of the United States; be eighteen (18) years of age or older; be of good moral character and not have been convicted of a felony offense by a court of this state, any other state or the United States.
Working Conditions
Office setting, exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting, including during public meetings and hearings. Must be able to lift 25 lbs, and some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required. Travel will be required, including occasional overnight trips, and candidates must have or be able to obtain a New Mexico drivers license in order to receive a certification to drive a state vehicle upon employment.
Supplemental Information
Benefits:
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Agency Contact Information:Dean Woulard Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.