Attorney Jobs in New Mexico

INTRODUCTION

The Cannabis Control Division (CCD) of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD) provides efficient licensing, compliance, and regulatory services to ensure the safe production, manufacture, testing, sale, and consumption of commercial and medical cannabis by ensuring that licensed individuals are qualified to provide products and services in the cannabis industry. The CCD issues licenses to cannabis producers, producer microbusiness, integrated cannabis microbusinesses, manufacturers, retailers, consumption areas, vertically integrated establishments, couriers, and testing and research laboratories. Additionally, the CCD works in concert with the Department of Public Safety, Office of the State Engineer, Environment Department, other state agencies, tribes and pueblos to assist applicants to get licensed and ensure compliance with all relevant laws and administrative rules.

This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position will serve as the CCD's legal counsel across a variety of civil and regulatory matters. The position integrates policies and legal positions within a broad range of issues and cases; represents the CCD; negotiates settlements and contracts; litigates matters before the courts as well as conducting administrative hearings addressing constitutional, statutory and regulatory requirements; drafts recommendations or final decisions for final determinations made by the CCD Director concerning relevant facts and applying relevant laws and regulations; determines strategy on specific matters; drafts, evaluates, and reviews pleadings and appellate briefs, opinions, correspondence, proposed legislation and regulations; coordinates and conducts discovery and interviews witnesses and assists in developing broad legal strategies; interacts with legislators and legislative committees to advocate and advance the CCD; and interacts extensively with private entities and all levels of government including legislators and assists in developing and implementing strategic plans in accordance with the RLD mission.

• Provide legal advice and support to CCD senior management, executives and staff employees on complex and difficult legal and management issues involving the cannabis industry, CCD programs, budgets and legislation, and participates on management teams to develop and implement strategic plan to meet the agency mission.
• Prepare legal documents, including letters, pleadings, reports, memoranda, RLD rules and related documents.
• Assist in the coordination and implementation of CCD compliance and enforcement programs and represent the CCD in compliance and enforcement actions.
• Negotiate settlements and integrate agency policies and legal positions with those of other state agencies to accomplish the State's overall policies and goals.
• Conduct administrative hearings addressing constitutional, statutory and regulatory requirements and writes recommendations or final decisions determining the relevant facts and applying relevant laws and regulations.
• Interpret, draft and promulgate statutes, rules and regulations in accordance with the governing laws, Division objectives and goals, and cannabis industry.
• Other duties as assigned or requested by the CCD Director, the Superintendent of the RLD, or General Counsel for the RLD.

CUSTOMERS

The Superintendent of the RLD is ultimately the legal client of all attorneys employed by the RLD, including attorneys employed within the CCD. On a daily basis the Director of the CCD, as the individual authorized by the Superintendent of the RLD to direct and carry out the business of the CCD, will be the legal client most directly served by the CCD attorney. The customers of the CCD are licensed individuals, establishment owners or applicants from the cannabis industry and members of the public who are dependent on or have an interest in the products and services the cannabis industry provides.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or qualified to apply for limited practice license.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

All Attorney classifications must be and remain licensed as an attorney, in good standing, by the Supreme Court of New Mexico, or licensed as an attorney and in good standing by the highest court of another state and eligible pursuant to the limited license provisions (See Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA). Candidate must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License and current Defensive Driving Course Certification from the State of New Mexico; or must obtain a Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of hire as a condition of continued employment. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Office setting 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 may be required, including occasional overnight trips.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

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Agency Contact Information: Amber Becenti (505) 469-4069, 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.