Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Position Summary

The Executive Vice President and General Counsel is a senior level management position for the New Mexico Association of Realtors (NMAR). This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is responsible for advising on legal issues and strategies and ensuring NMAR’s compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including the development, implementation and management of NMAR’s legal and risk management programs while also providing critical support to the Government Affairs team in areas of public policy and regulatory affairs.

Examples of Work Performed

• Plans, organizes, and coordinates legal strategies involving NMAR related issues, in conjunction with the CEO
• Provides primary staff support to Forms Committee and ancillary support to Legislative Committee while being available to all groups for opinion on matters needing legal oversight
• As part of NMAR’s legislative agenda, brings policy recommendations for consideration
• Assists in development of position papers and is available to testify at the State Legislature at state legislative committees, when needed
• Understands New Mexico Political Action Committee (PAC) rules and advises Government Affairs Director and CEO in complying with related rules and regulations Oversees and advises on NMAR’s efforts related to real estate forms, including research and development of potential new forms brought before the Forms Committee
• Stays up to date on all industry related legal issues and educates NMAR members on key changes within the industry
• Occasionally writes legal articles and contributes to the NMAR
• Newsline on risk management matters assisting with advice to real estate firms and individual members on compliance issues regarding federal, state and local laws
• Prepares stand up presentations on Legal Updates at both annual NMAR conferences and to local associations, as requested, and as fits within the work calendar
• Writes and/or reviews all NMAR contracts and vendor agreements, as needed, and makes recommendations for approval of same
• Oversees the NMAR Legal Hotline program providing advice, when needed, and ensures it is sufficiently staffed. Advises the
• CEO of activity by reporting on trending issues brought by members
• Is available to Industry and Community partners in providing
• NMAR’s positions and legal information useful in strengthening those relationships
• Directs and manages activities of external law firms and legal professionals when they are providing service to NMAR
• At the direction of the CEO, attends and participates in meetings of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the CEO
  
  

Qualifications, Skills And Abilities

Candidates should have a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school plus four (or more) as a practicing attorney in a law firm, or as in-house counsel. Candidates must have a licence to practice law in NM and be a member in good standing of the State Bar. Preference will be given for education and/or experience in the real estate industry including but not limited to landlord-tenant law, compliance and enforcement issues.

The ideal candidate will exhibit a business mind set, problem-solving capabilities, strong communication skills both oral and written and have experience in conducting effective public presentations and public speaking. Emphasis will also be placed on experience communicating with non-lawyers and general membership organizations.

Work experience using technology such as a personal computer, presentation software and other generally used office applications is required.

Essential Functions

Work is performed in an office setting. Light physical exertion is required; the ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds such as boxes of materials; manual physical dexterity is required such as the ability to type using a personal or desktop computer; light travel is required such as attending conferences outside of the Santa Fe area. If a reasonable accommodation is required, it should be stated by the candidate and every effort will be made to provide an accommodation.