Access to Justice Fund Grant Commission 2024-2025 Grant Process Now Open

The State Bar of New Mexico Access to Justice Fund Grant Commission now seeks grant applications from nonprofit organizations that provide civil legal services to low income New Mexicans within the scope of the State Plan. Upon review of the applications, the Grant Commission will make the final decision regarding applicants to be awarded grants and the amount of each grant. The deadline for proposals is April 1.

The Request for Proposals can be found at https://www.sbnm.org/Leadership/Commissions/Access-to-Justice-Fund-Grant-Commission. Contact Donna Smith at donna.smith@sbnm.org.

2024 Distinguished Achievement Awards Dinner: Last Call for Nominations

Nominations close on Feb. 15. To nominate an individual, please go to https://lawschool.unm.edu/alumni/events/daad.html. For questions, please contact lynn.taylor@law.unm.edu.

Equity in Justice - Education & Training

The Equity in Justice Program offers long or short-term educational planning for your firm and offers CLE credit for many sessions. The Equity in Justice Program can also run book groups and learning groups that are exclusive to your organization and facilitate dialogue that leads to deeper learning and stronger relationships.

Training can and should be customized to your needs. We do not take a one-size-fits all approach.

The Equity in Justice Program's educational sessions include:

• Key Considerations for Equity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession
• Women in Law: Issues Confronting Women Attorneys
• Antiracism: Beyond Implicit Bias
• Intersectionality: How Our Identities Shape our Lives and Work
• Confronting Power to Serve with Empathy and Connection
• Building Critical Consciousness as Part of Professional Identity
• Interrupting Bias and Microaggressions in the Workplace
• “Making Race” in the US and New Mexico
• Addressing Power and Privilege Among Women in the Profession



Click the button below to find more information regarding these educational and training opportunities.

The Digital 2024-2025 Resource Deskbook is Coming Soon!

The Resource Deskbook has gone digital! Check your inbox on March 1 for the comprehensive guide for State Bar of New Mexico resources for our members, New Mexico

State and Federal Court contact information, License Renewal information, and much more! If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the Resouce Deskbook, please email celeste.valencia@sbnm.org.

Professional Development Program

Wrestling with an ethics or best practices issue? Did you know that the PDP offers New Mexico lawyers a free, confidential helpline to discuss issues related to the Rules of Professional Conduct, professional liability and law practice management? Call the helpline at 1-800-326-8155.  

Equity in Justice Program

Get your Equity in Justice CLE Credit!

The new requirement for one hour of Equity in Justice CLE credit is effective Jan. 1, 2024. Throughout the year, we will be offering monthly one-hour virtual CLEs that meet this requirement for $49 a session.

Upcoming CLEs:



"Key Frameworks and Foundations in Equity in Justice Work," with Dr. Amanda Parker, PhD, Senior Attorney Erika Pirotte and Assistant Appellate Defender Mallory Harwood is scheduled for Feb. 28 from noon to 1 p.m. (MT).

This session will go over some of the national and state data on inequities and bias in the legal profession and the foundational knowledge and key considerations legal professionals need to address bias and systemic inequality. The session helps to build a common vocabulary and provides an introductory framework for examining diversity, equity, and inclusion in the profession. Presenters will argue for the need for lawyers to delve deeper than current discussions of implicit bias to develop critical consciousness by understanding themselves and the structure of society.

"Would You Mind Making Some Copies?": Recent Research in Gender Bias presented by Torri Jacobus, Director of Equity, Inclusion and Justice for the New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts, Sarita Nair, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, and Chamiza Pacheco de Alas, who currently leads the programming for Latin America and the Caribbean on an interim basis and is Director of New Mexico Programs for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation on March 27 from noon to 1 p.m. (MT). The panel will discuss and unpack recent research in gender bias. Topics will include tightrope and “prove it again” bias, attitudes affecting parents and tools for interrupting bias in the workplace. Earn 1.0 EIJ (New Equity in Justice Credit) by attending.

More sessions will follow on a variety of topics, including gender equity, digital accessibility, working with clients experiencing poverty and intersectionality 101. Join us to make local connections!

Please reach out to Amanda.Parker@sbnm.org with questions.

Join conversations facilitated by Dr. Amanda Parker, Equity in Justice Director of the State Bar of New Mexico, and Torri Jacobus, Statewide Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Director for the Administrative Office of the Courts for the next Equity in Justice Book Club pick, "Lies My Teacher Told Me," by James Loewen. The final discussion will take place on Feb. 20. Each session will go from noon to 1:30 p.m. (MT).

The New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program

Protecting Ourselves from Identity Theft and Scammers

The Employee Assistance Program will be hosting a new webinar on Feb. 29, "Protecting Ourselves from Identity Theft and Scammers." The webinar will cover how society can be collectively traumatized by a singular event that can impact mental health for many individuals. The webinar will go from 10 to 11 a.m. (MT) and is currently open for registration, which is available by clicking the button below.

Judicial Wellness Program (NMJWP)

Did you know …. That we have a wellness resource just for our NM judges, including hearing officers, Administrative Law Judges, Tribal Judges and Probate Judges?

Our program is divided up into two different areas. We have one area that can help support judges who need help with substance abuse and mental health issues. We have a dedicated helpline that anyone can call to find support for a judge who is struggling. The call is confidential and you can remain anonymous if you prefer. If you or someone you know is struggling and need help, please reach out at 505-797-6097.

We also have an area that provides professional development resources, trainings, and public outreach in many forms. Stay tuned to find out more about what the State Bar of New Mexico is doing to support our New Mexico Judges.

Together, we are stronger!