March/April 2023
UNM Law Celebrates 75th Anniversary at Gala

On April 14th, 2023 the University of New Mexico School of Law celebrated its 75th Anniversary at a Gala with the faculty, alumni, students, staff, and friends who have contributed to the school's vibrant community.

The event was held at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. The night included dancing, catching up with friends and colleagues, and video presentations from former deans.

UNM Law is proud to celebrate its 75th Anniversary and thanks everybody who has contributed to making the school successful, including our sponsors below.
UNM School of Law welcomes Robbie Fontenot, Director of Development
“I am so excited to join the team and work with the UNM School of Law to advance its priorities. I am already so blown away by the kindness I’ve received from everyone, and I feel lucky to be part of such this prestigious institution.

Before coming to the UNM Foundation, I was the Development Director for Crossroads for Women where I raised programmatic and capital support for projects serving justice-involved women, and I’m eager to use my experience here!”
Yale Law Professor Cristina Rodríguez Gives The John Field Simms Sr. Lectureship in Law
Yale Law Professor Cristina Rodriguez gave The John Field Simms Sr. Memorial Lectureship in Law at the School of Law on February 23, 2023. Her talk addressed the Supreme Court, the people's confidence in the court, and possible reforms. The talk was a powerful examination of the fundamental issues involving the Supreme Court, including term limits and presidential selection of justices.
School of Law Holds Scholarship Luncheon Celebrating Scholarship Donors and Recipients
The annual scholarship luncheon took place on March 8, 2023. We gratefully thank each one of our donors who make these scholarships possible.

The lunch included remarks from Dean Camille Carey, alumna Erin McSherry (10'), alumna Gabriela C. Ibanez Guzman (10'), and student speaker Angela Griego (1L).
Environmental Moot Court Competition

The 2023 Environmental Moot Court Team consisting of Mark Blosser (3L), Ruhika Caughfield (2L), and Ryan Sanchez (3L) competed in the Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition at Pace University, School of Law in February. The team was coached by Samantha Ruscavage-Barz, from Wild Earth Guardians, and Deana M. Bennett, from Modrall Sperling. Although the team did not advance to the final rounds, Ruhika Caughfield won a "Best Oralist" award for preliminary round one. Congrats to everyone for their hard work! 
Students travel to El Paso to Help Families at the Border

Under the supervision of Professors April Land and Ann Delpha, UNM Law students traveled to El Paso to observe the immigration court system. Students from universities around the country also participated in the observation process. The School of Law Border Justice Initiative provides experiential service-learning opportunities while also providing high-quality immigration law mentorship.

The student team was comprised of Valerie DiBernardo (2L), Alondra Granados-Diaz (2L), Daniel Leiva (1L), Breanda Macias Lopez (2L), Kae Rogers (3L), and Kimberly Weston (3L). They visited the Non-Detained Court, Detained Court, Federal Court, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, Boarder Servant Corps, COESPO, and Diocesan Migrant & Refugee Services.
Fourteen Members of the Class of 2023 were Awarded State Clerkships

Below are a few highlights.

Ryan Sanchez will clerk for Court of Appeals Judge Megan Duffy.
Santiago Piza Cossio will clerk for Court of Appeals Judge Katherine Wray.
Emmalee Johnston will clerk for Court of Appeals Judge Gerald Baca.
Victoria Lovato will clerk for Supreme Court Justice David Thomson.
Deanna Warren will work for Supreme Court Justice Shannon Bacon.

We wish you the best of luck on your clerkship!
RECENT APPEARANCES & PUBLICATIONS:

  • Served as a reader/commenter on a work-in-progress presentation by two UNLV Law professors, Justin Iverson and David Tanenhaus.
  • Was quoted in an NPR article about the excessive use of force by police and the fatal shooting by police in Farmington, New Mexico.
  • Spoke on a panel organized by UNLV Law’s chapter of the American Constitution Society. Her presentation was entitled “The Disqualification Clause and Accountability for the January 6 Attack.” 

  • Was quoted in Housing Matters, an online magazine published by the Urban Institute.

  • Was elevated from Senior Advisor to Deputy Assistant Administrator of the U.S. EPA Office of Land and Emergency Management. In this new role, Cliff is part of a leadership team for an agency of 460 people responsible for the implementation of nationwide programs, including the Superfund cleanup, hazardous waste management, recycling, and emergency response. 
  • Has spoken widely at a number of venues, including Yale Law School, where, on March 31, he delivered a keynote presentation, “Food, Fire, and New Frontiers in Environmental Justice.”

  • Presented the LAW Talk at the Southwestern Association of Law Libraries (SWALL) 2023 Annual Meeting in Tucson. Michelle's talk was titled “The Power of Slow and Steady, Plus Thoughts on Curriculum and Status.”

  • Accepted an offer to publish from Loyola Los Angeles Law Review. His article entitled “Trial by Ambush: The Prosecution of Indians in Federal Court” will be forthcoming in Spring 2024.

  • Was interviewed for the Daily Lobo about the Black Education Act.
  • Was interviewed by the BBC on the tech immunity cases before SCOTUS.
  • Was the keynote speaker at Kirtland Air Force Base for Black History Month.
  • Participated in a panel hosted by the American Constitution Society about Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

  • Was interviewed on Bloomberg Law discussing "Trump losing a critical court battle to keep legal details secret from the Special Counsel investigating his possible mishandling of classified information and obstruction of justice."


  • Represented UNM's Office of the Vice President for Research at the annual meeting of Oak Ridge Associated Universities where they focus on a just transition to a clean energy economy.

  • Presented "Intersectional Poverty Law in Practice" at the Poverty Law Conference at U.C. Berkley School of Law.
  • Honored at the Project for New Mexico Graduates of Color (PNMGC) at its Faculty of Color Awards on April 5 in the SUB Ballroom.

  • Interviewed Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren. The Navajo Times published parts of the interview in a larger piece concerning the 2023 New Mexico Press Women Conference at the Isleta Resort.
  • Has recently published a letter to the editor in the Albuquerque Journal. Sherri’s letter criticized the city’s decision to fund the Unser Racing Museum to the tune of $4 million at the expense of the Albuquerque Museum, which received no funding.  

  • Was a guest on The Bakari Sellers Podcast where he spoke about the affirmative action cases before the Supreme Court.
  • Published “’With All Deliberate Speed’: The Ironic Demise of (and Hope For) Affirmative Action,” in Vol. 76 of the Southern Methodist Law Review Forum, coming later in 2023.
Professor Carol Suzuki

  • Participated in a panel to discuss SB147, the Texas legislative bill that prohibits citizens of China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea from buying real property in Texas.
  • Presented a talk, “Strategies for Effective Interviewing of Trauma Survivors,” at the New Mexico Collaborative Practice Group Members Quarterly Lunch Meeting on March 31, 2023.

  • Spoke at the Elders, Leadership, Youth and Council Delegates at the British Columbia First Nations Justice Forum held in Vancouver on March 6, 2023.
  • View photos of the presentation here and here.


  • Published a letter to the editor of the Daily Lobo entitled "New Mexico Adjunct Faculty Deserve a Living Wage."
The Honorable David Herrera Urías Will Serve as the 2023 Commencement Speaker

For this year's graduation, the Honorable David Herrera Urías will serve as the commencement speaker. In January 2022, Judge Urías was appointed by President Biden to be the 25th Federal District Judge for the District of New Mexico. Judge Urías graduated from UNM School of Law in 2001.

Judge Urías clerked for the Honorable Vanessa Ruiz of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C, obtained a national civil rights fellowship in New York City, worked as a civil rights attorney with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Find, and was a partner and firm President at Freedman Boyd Hollander Goldberg Urías & Ward before taking the federal bench.

Judge Urías feels fortunate to have worked with lawyers and now judges whom he views not only as colleagues and friends but also mentors. We are excited to have him as the Commencement speaker at the 2023 Commencement ceremony.
UNM School of Law Alumnus Matthew Garcia is Appointed as Federal Judge

President Joe Biden recently appointed Matthew L. Garcia (’05) to serve on the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico. The United States Senate confirmed the appointment and President Biden signed the commission formally appointing Mr. Garcia to the position of United States District Judge on February 21, 2023. Judge Garcia became the 26th U.S. District Judge in New Mexico since statehood in 1912.

Born and raised in New Mexico, Judge Garcia earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico (1999). Following his undergraduate studies, Judge Garcia was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship and studied at the Helsinki School of Economics in Finland. He then attended Harvard University completing his Masters of Public Policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. Judge Garcia received his J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2005.

He began his law career as an associate attorney at Freedman Boyd Daniels Hollander Goldberg & Ives. Wanting to build a practice that emphasized individual claims, Judge Garcia started his own litigation firm in 2008 representing New Mexicans on claims for civil rights violations, tort matters, unlawful discrimination, and wage theft. He then partnered with George Bach (’02) and formed the firm of Bach & Garcia.

In 2018, he became interested in public service and applied to serve in Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration. He was appointed General Counsel to the Office of the Governor in 2019 where he advised the Governor and office staff on various legal issues ranging from state constitutional questions to statutory interpretation. Judge Garcia served in this capacity until he was promoted to the Governor’s Chief of Staff in 2021.
Chief U.S. District Judge William P. Johnson administered the oath of office to Judge Garcia at an investiture ceremony held on May 12, 2023. 
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Law Scholarship Classic
Friday, June 9, 2023
UNM Championship Golf Course