Donation of $2.5 million establishes the F. Michael Hart Chair in Children’s Law at the School of Law 

David B. Martinez, Kelly Stout Sanchez, and Julio C. Romero, partners at Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero P.C., have contributed $2.5 million to the University of New Mexico School of Law.  

Their gift has established an endowed chair, the F. Michael Hart Chair in Children’s Law, which provides support in perpetuity for the holder of the chair to teach children’s law. The chair was created in recognition of Mike Hart, partner of Martinez, Stout Sanchez, and Romero. 

The F. Michael Hart Chair in Children’s Law honors School of Law alumnus Frederick Michael Hart (’88) whose family has a longstanding connection with the institution. Hart worked for the Children, Youth and Families Department before opening his private practice in 1990 with Roger V. Eaton, Esq. and has since become one of the foremost children’s law expert in New Mexico. In his 36 years of practice, Hart has served on numerous children’s advocacy groups, has helped mentor young lawyers, and is a premier resource for judges, legislators, and social workers. 

The donors hope their contribution will create a foundation for the School of Law to become a center for children’s law, encouraging new legal professionals and future law students to undertake careers protecting and addressing critical issues faced by the children of New Mexico. 

“There is nothing more revealing about a society’s values and core principles than the way it treats its children. We can’t just say ‘our children are the future’ and then tolerate the known consequences of childhood adversity. Lawyers trained and educated about children’s legal rights have the power and responsibility to make the difference,” said Hart. 

David B. Martinez reflects upon the role of the School of Law graduates in their communities:  

For over 75 years, the UNM School of Law has produced the leaders of the State of New Mexico. UNM Law’s graduates not only lead in the legal community in terms of law firms, the judiciary and the State Bar, but have traditionally been leaders in political and local government as well. The Law School has produced governors, cabinet members, attorneys general, district attorneys, legislators, and many other local leaders. 

UNM Law graduates living in the communities of the State of New Mexico also lead school, church, community, charitable, and neighborhood organizations. The education at all law schools including UNM Law, focuses on critical thinking. At UNM Law, the overall educational program also uniquely focuses its graduates on group and community success as well as service to the people of New Mexico. 

The value of this leadership training of UNM Law grads to the State of New Mexico over the last three quarters of a century is immeasurable. 

School of Law Dean Camille Carey shares, “I am thrilled about this new gift to establish the School of Law’s new F. Michael Hart Chair in Children’s Law. We are excited to expand our curricular offerings in children’s law and honor Mike Hart and his career of impactful work on behalf of children. We are grateful to David Martinez, Kelly Stout Sanchez, and Julio Romero for their incredible generosity and for allowing the School of Law to grow its commitment to children’s law.” 

The selection for the inaugural chair holder is underway. 

Any individual or organization may make additional gifts to this endowed fund. To learn how to donate to the School of Law, please visit this page.  

The F. Michael Hart Chair in Children’s Law is subject to approval by the University President and Board of Regents. 

Professor Vinay Harpalani elected as a member of the American Law Institute 



School of Law Professor Vinay Harpalani has been elected to the American Law Institute (ALI), the foremost United States institution dedicated to creating scholarly works that improve and clarify the law. This enormous honor is in recognition of Professor Harpalani’s extensive scholarship, profound expertise, and professional achievement. 

Professor Harpalani holds the Don L. and Mabel F. Dickason Endowed Chair in Law at the School of Law. He teaches constitutional law, civil procedure, race and the law, employment discrimination, and election law. Professor Harpalani has published law review articles in the Harvard Law Review Forum, Boston University Law Review, University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law, Duke Journal of Constitutional Law and Public Policy, among others. He has also been cited in 15 U.S. Supreme Court amicus briefs defending affirmative action.

2024 UNM Law Scholarship Golf Classic

The 2024 UNM Law Scholarship Golf Classic presented by Nusenda Credit Union was held on June 7, 2024 at the University of New Mexico Championship Golf Course to raise funds for law student scholarships. Nearly 150 participants took to the course, raising over $41,000. The Cornish Law team placed first in the event. Taking second place was Sandia Peak, sponsored by Adams + Crow, P.C., and Nusenda Credit Union came in third. Participants enjoyed various hole competitions as they played, as well as a raffle at the end of the tournament with prizes sponsored by many local New Mexico businesses and non-profits. The School of Law and the Alumni Board would like to thank the sponsors and competitors that made this event a success.  

View Event Photos Here

The New Mexico Law Review Volume 54, Issue 2 (2024) Summer Release 

The New Mexico Law Review, a semiannual student-edited legal journal, publishes scholarly articles by professors, attorneys, judges, and Law Review staff members. Volume 54, Issue 2 (2024) was released on May 21, 2024. This issue features articles discussing the New Mexico Civil Rights Act, authored by speakers, panelists, and attendees of the Journal and School of Law’s Fall 2023 symposium “New Mexico Civil Rights Act: Its Meaning and Application.” 

Read the contents of the New Mexico Law Review Volume 54, Issue 2 (2024) here.

Professor Jennifer Moore authors a forthcoming book 

Regents’ Professor Jennifer Moore continues to use experiences from her field research in Uganda, Burundi, and Sierra Leone to shine a spotlight on the need for humanitarianism and human rights in her new book Women’s Work: Building Peace and Justice in War-Affected Communities of Northern Uganda and Sierra Leone. This publication will build on her previous work in the book Humanitarian Law in Action Within Africa and is set for release by University of Pennsylvania Press in 2025.

Read More Here

Professor Gabriel Pacyniak selected as the new Director of the Natural Resources and Environmental Law Program

Professor Gabriel Pacyniak has been named the new Director of the Natural Resources and Environmental Law (NREL) Program at the School of Law. Professor Pacyniak assumed the role following the retirement of Professor Reed Benson, whose leadership led the NREL Program toward national recognition as Number 25 in U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Environmental Law Programs” in May 2024.

Read More Here

School of Law students serve immigrants at the border  

Six students from the UNM School of Law participated in the inaugural clinic at the Border Service Corps over Spring Break as part of the Border Justice Initiative’s Spring Break Intensive course.

Ari Burks, a Border Justice Fellow working with the students and two instructors, at the event called the Border Service Day a “memorable event that allowed students, non-profits, faculty, and attorneys to work collaboratively and provide much-needed legal assistance for newly arriving immigrants.”

Read More Here

School of Law faculty members presented at the AALS Conference on Clinic Legal Education 

School of Law faculty members presented at the AALS Conference on Clinic Legal Education this past May in St. Louis. The conference had more than 700 legal educators and advocates in attendance to engage in discussion and education about law advancements and policy challenges in times of barriers and backlash. Conference topics included clinic design, strategy, and roles in supporting clients, community, and students. 

Read More Here

Law Professor Aliza Organick named the Director of Law and Indigenous Peoples Program 

Professor Aliza Organick has been named Director of the Law and Indigenous Peoples Program at the School of Law.  

“Professor Organick brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, leadership, and grace to the position. I have the utmost confidence that Professor Organick will do an amazing job leading this important program and ensuring its future success,” School of Law Dean Camille Carey said. “The School of Law is committed to the continued strength and evolution of the Law and Indigenous Peoples Program. Professor Organick’s dedication to leading the way during this period of transition is truly moving.” 

Professor Organick will succeed Professor John P. Lavelle who retired at the end of the Spring 2024 semester. 

Read More Here

Pre-Law Summer Institute Orientation 

The American Indian Law Center (AILC) hosted the 2024 Pre-Law Summer Institute (PLSI) Orientation on May 31, 2024 at the School of Law. The AILC is a non-profit organization that, among other things, prepares prospective American Indian and Alaska Native law students for the rigors of law school through an intensive eight-week program. PLSI is in its 57th year and continues to teach students the unique methods of law school research, analysis, and writing. The AILC is housed at the School of Law and uses the classrooms and facilities to facilitate the program. 

The 2024 PLSI students proudly represent over 15 tribes. Many students from this program will go on to directly serve their tribes and contribute to legal scholarship and practice. 

The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law proudly awarded scholarships to three exceptional School of Law students 

The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, previously known as the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, has proudly awarded scholarships to three exceptional School of Law students from the class of 2025. CK Ellwood, Aiden Kneller, and Vanessa Springer have been selected among 32 students through a rigorous selection process that saw over 100 applicants. Vanessa Springer, in particular, has also been honored with a Diversity Outreach Scholarship and the prestigious David P. Phillips Award, an accolade presented to one outstanding student annually. 

Professor Reed Benson, the former Director of the School of Law Natural Resources and Environmental Law Program, expressed his delight by stating, “Top students from numerous institutions compete for these scholarships, and it is truly rewarding to see these three deserving Lobos being recognized by the Foundation.”

School of Law Alumna, Aimeé González (’08), tells her story of success from immigrant to lawyer  

School of Law alumna, Aimeé González (’08), was recently featured in a One-on-One interview in the Albuquerque Journal, where she shared her inspiring journey from immigrant to lawyer. As a young girl, González’s parents immigrated from Chihuahua, Mexico to Farmington, New Mexico, seeking greater prospects for their family. Despite not speaking English, González was enrolled in an English-speaking elementary school where she adapted and persevered, thanks to her tenacity and curiosity. That same tenacity propelled her through high school and into college. 

Read More Here

The School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors and Recent Graduate Chapter welcome new members 

The School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors has elected five new board members to serve on the Board. The Recent Graduate Chapter has selected two representatives from the class of 2023 to join the Chapter. Newly elected Alumni Association Board Members include Roxie De Santiago (’04), Erin McSherry (’10), Patrick Schaefer (’09), Erlinda Johnson (’95), and Kirsten Dick (’18). Representing the Recent Graduate Chapter (RGC) are Carson Thorton Gonzalez and Rhys Llewellyn.  

Read More Here