Board of Bar Commissioners

2023 Election Notice

The nomination period for four Board of Bar Commissioner seats will close at 5 p.m. on Oct. 11. Vacancies exist in the First, Third and Sixth, and Ninth and Tenth Judicial Districts. Nominations of active status members to fill the vacancies caused by the expiration of the term of such members shall be made by petition of 10 or more active status members of the Bar who are in good standing and whose principal place of practice (address of record) is in the respective district. Active status members whose principal place of practice (address of record) is in El Paso County, Texas, may nominate members for the Third and Sixth Judicial Districts. View the vacant positions, terms, duties and requirements for BBC members and the nomination petition in the Sept. 13 Bar Bulletin or on the website under https://www.sbnm.org/Leadership/Governance/BBC-Election-Notice-and-Nomination-Petition-2023.

The Equity in Justice Book Club Presents: "Poverty, by America"

Join the Equity in Justice Book Club, led by State Bar of New Mexico Equity in Justice Director Dr. Amanda Parker, for five new Book Club meetings this Fall discussing Matthew Desmond's "Poverty, by America." The dates are Oct. 3, Oct. 10 and Oct. 24 from noon to 1:30 p.m. (MT). Click the button below to register. Please contact Dr. Amanda Parker at [email protected] with any questions.

Celebrate the Second Judicial District Court's Court Clinic's 50-Year Anniversary

The Second Judicial District Court's Court Clinic will be celebrating its golden anniversary on Sept. 29, 2023. The ceremony will be held at 400 Lomas Boulevard, Courtroom 416, Albuquerque, NM 87102, followed by a reception in the fourth-floor atrium. Please join to celebrate the Court Clinic's work in helping families through facilitating positive communication and laying stable groundwork for children of families across New Mexico. For questions, please contact Kevin Ybarra at [email protected].

Join the Volunteer Attorney Program for the Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO Initiative

Join the Volunteer Attorney Program of New Mexico Legal Aid, Inc. for the launch of the Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO initiative. Through joining the program's monthly session, participants will engage in a virtual community with their peers, build a collective understanding of how to disseminate and implement best practices across diverse disciplines and use an All Teach/All Learn framework to expand the pro bono community in New Mexico.

For more information, contact [email protected] or call

505-551-1263.

New Mexico Defense Lawyer Association's September Matching Challenge

The New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association is participating in the DRI Foundation’s 2023 International Day of Service. In furtherance of its participation, the NMDLA is supporting Equal Access to Justice in its efforts to provide free, essential civil legal services and advocacy to New Mexicans. All donations made by NMDLA members and associates to Equal Access to Justice during the month of September will be matched dollar for dollar up to $5,000 by NMDLA.

The New Mexico Civil Rights Act Symposium: Its Meaning and Application

The New Mexico Law Review invites you to the New Mexico Civil Rights Act Symposium: Its Meaning and Application! The symposium will be on Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (MT), at the UNM School of Law. This event is approved for 5 general and 1 ethics MCLE credit. Contact Shannel Daniels at [email protected] with any questions. Please register by Oct. 21 using the button below.

The Center for Civic Values: Judges Needed for New Mexico Middle School Mock Trial Program

The New Mexico Middle School Mock Trial Program needs judges for its next event on Nov. 3, hosted by the Third Judicial District Circuit Court and the US District Court in Las Cruces. Those interested in attending the event may sign up at by Oct. 20. Please email any questions to Kristen Leeds at [email protected] or by phone at

505-764-9417.

2023 Distinguished Achievement Award and Alumni Promise Award Honorees

The UNM School of Law and the UNM School of Law Alumni/ae Association are proud to announce the 2023 Distinguished Achievement Award and Alumni Promise Award honorees. The Distinguished Achievement Award honorees are (Hon) Judith K. Nakamura (Ret.), Benny Naranjo and Alicia Gutierrez. The Alumni Promise Award honoree is Larissa Lozano. The 2023 UNM School of Law and UNM School of Law Alumni/ae Association Distinguished Achievement Award Dinner will be held on Oct. 20 at the UNM Student Union Building in the ballrooms. The reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. (MT), followed by dinner and award presentations at 6:30 p.m. (MT). Tickets may be purchased on the UNM School of Law website at https://lawschool.unm.edu/. Funds go toward UNM School of Law scholarships.