[Hiring] Associate Attorney @The Mortgage Law Firm

Role Description

Preparation of pleadings, motions and correspondence relating to judicial foreclosures, mediations, foreclosure-related litigation, loss-mitigation, bankruptcy, post-foreclosure evictions, and surplus proceeds cases. May be required to attend court hearings, mediations, and depositions. Supervise paralegal staff in preparation of work-product relating to foreclosure-related litigation, loss-mitigation, bankruptcy, post-foreclosure evictions, and surplus proceeds cases. Manage all actions and act as prime contact for clients and staff. Must be familiar with foreclosure work. Title background, to include post-sale marketable title, is also desirable. Travel may be required for court appearances and other in-person meetings.

What you'll do:

• Efficient management of multiple files in various stages of progression: litigation issues, foreclosures, bankruptcy, evictions, excess proceeds, deeds in lieu, replevins, sales, probate, and other litigation matters as assigned.
• Research and analytical skills sufficient to review, digest, and adjust business to new regulatory demands.
• Timely preparation of high quality letters, emails, documents, pleadings, motions, discovery, disclosure, and appellate briefs as assigned.
• Reviews, audits, and edits legal work product of department staff.
• Provides guidance, feedback, and approval on legal work product.
• Maintains a high level of ethical standards, including but not limited to case load management, communications, and timeliness.
• Excellent communication skills, with particular emphasis on client communications and correspondence.
• Attend court hearings, sales, mediations, trials, and oral arguments as required.
• Ability to learn and effectively use internal case management systems (CMS) and client shared platforms to keep files moving forward, maintain accurate and up-to-date records, complete tasks and events, and keep firm personnel and clients apprised of case status.
• Works well with others, communicates effectively, collaborates with colleagues, and contributes as a team player.
• Self-starter who can work independently to ensure work is completed timely, efficiently, and accurately.
• Initial intake and preparation of strategy analysis of new cases assigned.
• Research law and facts applicable to assigned cases.
• Accurate recording of billable and non-billable work performed.
• Provides excellent customer service to clients.
• Commitment to continued education/learning by attending CLEs, etc.
• Assist with other tasks as assigned by Managing Attorney.

Qualifications

• This position requires a Juris Doctorate, New Mexico Bar license in good standing.
• Possess relevant technology competencies such as Westlaw and time-billing software.
• 5 years of experience as an associate attorney.
• Background in real property, foreclosure, and title preferred.
• Dual licensure in New Mexico and one or more of the following states preferred: Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, or Colorado.

Requirements

• Ethics: Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.
• Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events; resilient.
• Analytical: Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs workflows and procedures.
• Attendance/Punctuality: Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Customer Service: Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments.
• Delegation: Delegates work assignments; matches the responsibility to the person; gives authority to work independently; sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; provides recognition for results.
• Dependability: Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Interpersonal Skills: Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things, contributing team member, respectful of others.
• Judgment: Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.
• Leadership: Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Motivation: Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Oral Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Required to work in an office setting, including operating a computer, printer, or other standard office equipment.
• The work may be performed in a traditional office environment or remotely.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
• Virtual appearances, client meetings, presentations, training, and other remote proceedings may be required.
• Travel may be required for court appearances and other in-person meetings.