Jan. 26, 2024

Pro Bono Opportunities
Online Notices

The Office of the Attorney General Rebrands as the "New Mexico Department of Justice"!


For the first time since the agency’s formation in 1912, the Office of the Attorney General has undergone a revolutionary transformation and rebranded as the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMSA 1978 Section 8-5-1). The rebrand signifies a commitment to inclusivity, clarity, and unity. “This evolution reflects our unwavering dedication to upholding and protecting the civil and criminal liberties of our citizens,” said AG Torrez during the unveiling. “As the Department of Justice, we stand as a beacon of integrity, ensuring that justice prevails for all, exemplifying our tireless efforts to build a safer, fairer, and more just society for every individual within our great state.”   

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New Legal Well-Being in Action Episode: Affordable Well-Being


During this episode, the State Bar of New Mexico's Professional Development Program Director, Bill Slease, speaks with attorney and accredited financial consultant Hannah Bell about the challenges lawyers face when equating happiness with the accumulation of money and related concepts, as well as how making informed choices about how much money you earn and spend can give you greater satisfaction and improve your well-being.

Listen Here For FREE

Changes Coming to the Bar Bulletin in 2024!

 

Some exciting changes are coming to the Bar Bulletin distribution in 2024! The Bar Bulletin will continue to publish on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The first issue of each month will continue to be distributed as both a printed and digital version to Bar Bulletin subscribers who are currently receiving a printed copy. The second issue of each month will be exclusively digital and will be emailed to Bar Bulletin subscribers. The digital version of all issues of the Bar Bulletin will continue to be posted on the State Bar of New Mexico website

at https://www.sbnm.org/News-Publications/Bar-Bulletin/Current-Issue.

Read the Latest Bar Bulletin

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:

  • Foundational Concepts and Best Practices in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Microaggressions in the Workplace
  • The State of Women in the Profession
  • Best Practices to Interrupt Implicit Bias
  • Antiracism 101: Going Beyond Implicit Bias
  • What is Intersectionality and why does it matter?
  • Building Critical Consciousness: How Self-Knowledge Strengthens Relationships and Work


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

Education and Training Information

Please Help Support Civil Legal Services in New Mexico!

 

State Bar Members - Donating to the New Mexico State Bar Foundation while submitting your license renewal is as easy as 1-2-3! Click on the graphic above for instructions on how to donate while renewing your license. Donations for the New Mexico State Bar Foundation are gratefully accepted year-round at www.sbnm.org/Bar-Foundation/Donations.

Contribute Here

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! Advertising space is still available, please contact Marcia Ulibarri at marcia.ulibarri@sbnm.org or 505-797-6058 for more information. If you have any other inquiries or suggestions regarding the Resouce Deskbook, please email [email protected].

Advertising Information
Resource Deskbook Inquiries

Upcoming Programs from the

Center for Legal Education

Employment Agreements: Drafting Key Provisions and Avoiding Liability Part 1


Employment Agreements: Drafting Key Provisions and Avoiding Liability Part 2


REPLAY: The Mediation Procedures Act Turns 16! - Considering Lessons Learned and Best Practices

View Full Course Catalog

SBNM Professional Programs Group

Professional Development Program


The Professional Development Program offers law practice management services and resources to State Bar members. This includes continuing education courses, “how-to” manuals and workshops, confidential practice consultations, a confidential ethics advisory helpline and information, sample forms, checklists and assessments on best practices for lawyers. For more information please visit the Professional Development Program tab on the State Bar’s website, or call the Program at 505-797-6079.

PDP Website

Equity in Justice Program


Get your Equity in Justice CLE Credit!


The new requirement for one hour of Equity in Justice CLE 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.


The first CLE, "Transgender Cultural Fluency," with Adrien Lawyer, will take place on Jan. 31 from noon to 1 p.m. (MT).


The second CLE, "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).


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 [email protected] with questions.

Sign Up For EIJ Communications
Read Rule 18-201
"Transgender Cultural Fluency" Sign-Up
"Key Frameworks" Sign-Up

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 discussions will take place on Jan. 9, 2024, Jan. 23, 2024, Feb. 6, 2024 and Feb. 20, 2024. Each session will go from noon to 1:30 p.m. (MT).

Sign Up Here

The New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program


New EAP Webinar: Claiming Our Joy in the Face of Collective Trauma

The Employee Assistance Program will be hosting a new webinar on Jan. 29, "Claiming Our Joy in the Face of Collective Trauma." 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 1 to 2 p.m. (MT) and is currently open for registration, which is available by clicking the button below.

Register Here
New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program

How to Make the Most of the Fresh Start of a New Year!


"Each morning, we are born again. What we do today is what matters most." - Buddha

Zen Habits Article - "How to Make the Most of the Fresh Start of a New Year"

Judicial Wellness Program (NMJWP)


Read a Book


I can hear some of the objections to this. I read dense material, case law, depos all day long and now you are suggesting that I read a book! Although you may not think of reading as a leisure activity since it is part of your everyday job, remember that being a reader may be part of the journey that brought you to this profession. Reading a novel about a family in another country, a spy novel from the cold war era, or even a murder mystery/whodunnit can take us away into another world. We can leave our problems and stressors behind and get into someone else’s story, be transported to a different place. What is the last good book you read that made you relax and lose yourself for just a moment?


Try it and let us know how it worked, or what good books you have found. Reach out with any comments to [email protected].

Judicial Wellness Program

Important State Bar Announcements and Deadlines

Active Renewal Instructions


Court Announcements and Deadlines 


Legal Community Announcements and Deadlines

View Announcements and Deadlines

Pro Bono and Volunteer Opportunities

The State Bar of New Mexico and the legal organizations it supports all provide rich and significant opportunities to provide pro bono and volunteer legal service to underserved populations in New Mexico. Take a look below at some of New Mexico's most impactful options for serving the state's diverse communities.


The Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP and New Mexico Legal Aid offer FREE CLE sessions through their Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO Project. Upcoming 2024 sessions include "Empowering Families/Clients: An Income Tax Perspective," "Adult Guardianship 101" and "Foreclosure Defense and Alternatives." The schedule for sessions in the first half of 2024 can be viewed by clicking the button below.

View Schedule


The Thirteenth Judicial Pro Bono Committee and the Volunteer Attorney Program of New Mexico Legal Aid will be sponsoring a family law-specific legal fair in Grants, New Mexico on Feb. 9 from noon to 4 p.m. (MT). The legal fair will take place at the Grants District Courthouse, where consultations will be on a first come, first served basis.

Sign Up Here


The Self-Represented Litigant Teleclinics in the Eleventh Judicial District need Family and Civil Law Attorney Volunteers for its monthly clinics in 2024. All of the clinics will occur on the third Tuesday of each month, from 5 to 7 p.m. (MT). Further, all consultations will take place over the phone.

 

If you can provide one-time 30-minute consultations at one or more of the monthly clinics, please reach out to the Betsy Mejia, Court Manager II, at [email protected] or 505-863-6816 before Jan. 22.

 

The monthly Self-Represented Litigants Legal Advice Clinics are a project of the Eleventh Judicial Pro Bono Committee.


The Center for Civic Values is currently seeking judges for its New Mexico High School Mock Trial Competition. There are nearly 60 open seats to volunteer as a judge, and any involvement is invaluable in supporting the students as they showcase their talents.


The trials are set to take place at both the Second Judicial District Court and the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque on Feb. 16 and 17.

Sign Up Here


The New Mexico State Bar Foundation's Modest Means Helpline will be hosting the next webinar in the Small Business Webinar Series, "Important Ways the New Corporate Transparency Act Impacts New Mexico Small Businesses" on Jan. 31 at noon (MT). This free webinar will cover the ways the Corporate Transparency Act could impact small businesses in New Mexico, including fines and criminal

sanctions.

Sign Up Here


The Gene Franchini New Mexico High School Mock Trial Competition is in need of judges for the qualifier rounds. The qualifier competition will be held Feb. 16 and 17 and will be hosted by the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.


The deadline for registration is Jan. 31, 2024.


If you have questions, contact Kristen Leeds at the Center for Civic Values at 505-764-9417 or [email protected].

Sign Up Here
View All Pro Bono Volunteer Opportunities

Legal Clinics & Workshops

Divorce Options Workshop
.
Attendees will learn how to save time, money and stress at a the State Bar's free Divorce Options Workshop. The virtual workshop includes a presentation by a volunteer attorney, materials on divorce and an open question-and-answer period. This virtual event is a free community service open to the public. Workshops are held (usually) on the first Wednesday of each month from 6-8 p.m. (MT) To register please call 505-797-6022.
Download Flyer
Consumer Debt Bankruptcy Workshop
Get answers to questions about repossessions, foreclosures, collection issues, bankruptcy and more. The free presentation includes a presentation by a volunteer attorney, an open question and answer period and a one on one consultation with an attorney. The virtual workshops occur on the fourth Wednesday of each month (except November) at 6 p.m (MT). To register please call 505-797-6094.

Download Flyer
Legal Resources for Elderly Workshop
.
The Legal Resources for the Elderly Program (LREP) presents free legal workshops. Seniors, family members and others who work with seniors are invited to attend. The Legal Resources for the Elderly Program can be reached at 505-797-6005 or
1-800-876-6657.





View Calendar

For more information on the Volunteer Attorney Referral process, and to learn about the volunteer attorney pool for LREP or N.M. Legal Aid's Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP), please click the button below.

Volunteer Sign-Up

Featured Member Benefit

LawPay


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State Bar of New Mexico | 505-797-6000 | [email protected] | www.sbnm.org