The New Mexico State Bar Foundation is excited to announce the opening of the Modest Means Helpline, a civil legal telephone helpline and pro bono referral service for New Mexico residents of modest means. The Modest Means Helpline was created through the efforts of the Access to Justice Commission, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and the State Bar of New Mexico/New Mexico State Bar Foundation with funding from the New Mexico State Legislature.
The MM Helpline is an expansion to the New Mexico Legal Aid Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP) for members of the public who cannot be assisted by the VAP due to a conflict of interest for New Mexico Legal Aid, over income for NMLA or are otherwise ineligible for NMLA. The Modest Means Helpline’s two staff attorneys provide legal advice over the phone and, if appropriate, may refer the case to pro bono attorneys for representation ranging from legal advice up to limited or full representation. The Helpline staff will also work with the VAP to enable people of modest means or those who are NMLA conflicts to be served at court-sponsored legal clinics around the state.
The Modest Means Helpline can be reached at 505-797-6013 or 888-857-9935, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (MT).
Please note: The Modest Means Helpline does not assist in criminal matters. In addition, if callers are seeking assistance for someone who is 55 or older, they should call the Legal Resources for the Elderly Program (505-797-6005 or 1-800-876-6657), which is the New Mexico State Bar Foundation’s other helpline and referral service, which is for people 55 or older.
Most of the work can be performed remotely from within New Mexico, with occasional mandatory office days. The position includes an excellent benefits package and competitive salary for legal work in the non-profit sector. Duties include providing legal advice and brief legal services over the phone to New Mexico residents who have moderate or low income in the areas of housing stability (landlord-tenant / real property), domestic relations, and domestic violence. Additionally, the attorney may conduct legal workshops and clinics – some remotely and some in-person throughout New Mexico.
Applicants must be licensed to practice law in New Mexico, and able to work as part of a busy team in a fast-paced environment. Excellent customer service and computer skills are required. Fluency in Spanish is a plus as is a demonstrable interest in the above-referenced areas of law and issues affecting the lower-income community. To be considered, applicants must submit a cover letter and resume to hr@sbnm.org In your cover letter, please explain why you are interested in working as a helpline attorney.