Each October, the State Bar of New Mexico joins a nationwide effort to recognize and celebrate the vital role of pro bono service in ensuring equal access to justice. Pro bono attorneys strengthen our communities by offering their time, talent and expertise to those who otherwise could not afford legal representation. From protecting families and securing housing to supporting veterans and assisting survivors, these contributions make a lasting impact on lives across our state.

We invite all members of the legal community to take this month as an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to pro bono service—whether by volunteering, mentoring or simply spreading the word about the importance of access to justice for all!

A Recap of Free Legal Answers Clinic

Hosted by the New Mexico State Bar Foundation and the Young Lawyers Division



On June 7, the Modest Means Helpline and the State Bar of New Mexico’s Young Lawyers Division (“YLD”) co-hosted the ABA Free Legal Answers Clinic. An exciting and collaborative opportunity for attorneys in the YLD to fulfill their pro bono requirements, the ABA Free Legal Answers Clinic had eight attorney volunteers in total, including seven in-person volunteers and one remote volunteer. Two seasoned attorneys from the Modest Means Helpline were onsite to provide support to the YLD members in any areas of law they had questions about. Free Legal Answers is an online portal in which low-income New Mexicans input legal questions and pro bono attorneys answer those questions online - whenever and wherever it is convenient! Free Legal Answers is a fun and easy way to earn pro bono hours. To learn more or sign up to become a volunteer attorney for the Free Legal Answers portal, click HERE. 



The next YLD / Bar Foundation Free Legal Answers Clinic will be Saturday, October 25 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. (MT) at the State Bar Center.

Pro Bono Public Service: A Call to Action


The New Mexico Supreme Court encourages every lawyer to aspire to at least 50 hours of pro bono service each year—or a financial contribution in support of organizations providing legal services to those in need. Under Rules 16-601 and 24-108 NMRA, attorneys can fulfill this responsibility by offering free or substantially-reduced-fee legal services, engaging in activities that improve the law and legal profession, or contributing financially to access-to-justice initiatives. Together, we can help close the justice gap.

In concept, there is a great deal of crossover between New Mexico’s legal service providers and its charities serving those of modest means. Like the latter, legal service providers endeavor to help those unable to help themselves, and just as New Mexico’s legal service providers are most effective when supported by the community, so too are New Mexico’s charity organizations when those in our community contribute to them. Below is a list of some of New Mexico’s charities serving residents of limited fiscal means.

HopeWorks

HopeWorks is one of the largest homeless service providers in New Mexico, providing access to day shelter, housing, and mental/behavioral health services.

Joy Junction: Homeless Shelter Albuquerque

Joy Junction provides a hand up to the homeless and hungry. With food, shelter, clothing, recovery programs and life skills training, Joy Junction empowers individuals to re-enter the workforce and break the cycle of homelessness, one life at a time.

New Mexico Appleseed

New Mexico Appleseed’s mission is to end child and family poverty. New Mexico Appleseed want to ensure that every child and family has the necessary support and opportunities to lift themselves out of poverty. New Mexico Appleseed seeks permanent and dramatic positive change.

Roadrunner Food Bank

Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico, a Feeding America member, is the largest nonprofit dedicated to solving food insecurity in New Mexico. As a food distribution hub, Roadrunner Food Bank provides food to hundreds of affiliated member partners around the state including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and regional food banks. Roadrunner Food Bank also distributes food through specialized programs helping children, families and seniors at schools, low-income senior housing sites, senior centers and with and through health care partnerships. Every week, tens of thousands of hungry children, seniors and families are reached through this statewide hunger relief network. Roadrunner Food Bank is also working together with its partners, volunteers and contributors to end food insecurity and hunger in New Mexico.

The Salvation Army, New Mexico

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Saranam, Albuquerque

Saranam empowers families to end their homelessness and poverty through housing, education and supportive community.

Storehouse New Mexico

Storehouse New Mexico is a nonprofit community-based food pantry that provides free groceries to people in need.

Legal Service Providers FAQ's

Modest Means Helpline FAQ



The New Mexico Center for Law and Poverty FAQ

The New Mexico Immigrant Law Center FAQ

The State Bar of New Mexico is soliciting articles and brief comments regarding what you find most rewarding about doing pro bono work in New Mexico. Please send submissions to notices@sbnm.org for possible inclusion in a future Bar Bulletin. 

ABA Free Legal Answers

ABA Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal advice portal where qualifying users request brief advice about a specific civil legal issue and pro bono volunteer attorneys provide information and basic legal advice.

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