April 19, 2024

Pro Bono Opportunities
Online Notices

The Institute for Well-Being in Law is kicking off Mental Health Awareness month with Well-Being Week in Law from May 6 to 10. The Institute for Well-Being in Law is providing individuals and organizations with a variety of tips, tools and ideas for activities designed to improve and optimize your well-being. Be on the look-out for emails and daily social media posts during Well-Being Week in Law on the State Bar of New Mexico's Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn that will provide the legal community with useful information on how to recharge during Well-Being Week in Law and beyond!


You can find more information about Well-Being Week In Law at lawyerwellbeing.net.

Learn More About Well-Being Week In Law!
 

There Is Still Time to Register For the 2024 Professional Development Institute!

 

The State Bar of New Mexico's Professional Development Program (PDP) is proud to present a day-long Institute focused on attorney best practices, compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct, well-being and Equity In Justice on May 9 in-person at the State Bar Center and virtually. In-person attendees will enjoy a continental breakfast, lunch and mocktail reception for an opportunity to network with your colleagues following the Institute.


Sessions Include:

  • Basics of Trust Accounting (Anne L. Taylor, Chief Disciplinary Counsel, NM Supreme Court Disciplinary Board; William D. Slease, State Bar PDP Director)
  • Huh, So That’s How It Works. Mock Meeting of the NM State Bar Ethics Advisory Committee (Members of the Ethics Advisory Committee)
  • Are the Bots Coming For Your Job? Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law (Hon. David K. Thomson, NM Supreme Court; Prof. Sonia Gipson Rankin, UNM School of Law; Bill Slease, State Bar of New Mexico)
  • Oops, Now What? What You Need To Know About Next Steps After Discovering That You’ve Made A Mistake (Briggs F. Cheney, Dixon, Scholl, Carrillo, P.A.)
  • An Honest Conversation about Well-Being (Tenessa Eakins, State Bar LAP Manager; Matthew Tandy, LPCC, LADAC)
  • Key Considerations for Interrupting Bias (Dr. Amanda Parker, Equity and Inclusion Educator)
Register to Attend In-Person
Register to Attend Virtually

Invitation to 2024 Law Day CLE Sponsored by the Paralegal Division

 

The State Bar of New Mexico Paralegal Division and the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association are hosting a special CLE on May 4: "Breaking Bad...Your Rights: A New Mexico and Federal Criminal Defense Primer." The CLE, which take place during the week of Law Day, will feature multiple speakers and will go over a variety of topics, including Criminal Procedure at the State Level, Criminal Procedure at the Federal Level and Client Interaction. The CLE is FREE attend, and attendees will earn 3.0 General credits. There will be an opportunity to network and socialize after at Boxing Bear Brewing! The deadline for registration is April 29.

Register Here

New Mexico State Bar Foundation Golf Classic

 

The New Mexico State Bar Foundation invites you to participate in the New Mexico State Bar Foundation Golf Classic! All proceeds benefit the New Mexico State Bar Foundation. Please save the date of Sept. 30 and get your golf team together! More information on sponsorships and registration coming soon.

Download Save the Date

Save the Date for the State Bar of New Mexico's 2024 Annual Meeting: October 25

 

The Annual Meeting looks a little different this year! Save the Date for the State Bar of New Mexico's 2024 Annual Meeting on Oct. 25! "Be Inspired" during one full day of legal education, networking with your colleagues in the NM legal community, inspirational speakers and activities, entertainment, and much more. Join us either in-person at the State Bar Center or virtually from the comfort of home or your office - and earn all 12 of your CLE credits for the year! More information and registration coming soon!

Download Save the Date

The Young Lawyers Division Needs Volunteers for Ask-a-Lawyer Call-in Day on May 4

 

Once a year, New Mexico residents can get their legal questions answered free or receive brief legal advice through the Ask-a-Lawyer Call-in Program sponsored by the YLD. The YLD is recruiting volunteer attorneys virtually and in-person to answer questions from across the state on a variety of topics including: employment law, divorce, child support, landlord/tenant issues, personal injury, estate planning, real estate and more. This year’s program will take place from 9 a.m. to noon (MT) on May 4. Please send any questions regarding this event to memberservices@sbnm.org.

View More Information

2024 Annual Awards - Call for Nominations


Nominations are being accepted for the 2024 State Bar of New Mexico Annual Awards to recognize those who have distinguished themselves or who have made exemplary contributions to the State Bar or legal profession in the past year. The awards will be presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting on Oct. 25 at the State Bar Center in Albuquerque, NM. All awards are limited to one recipient, whether living or deceased, with the exception of the Justice Pamela B. Minzner Professionalism Award, which can have two recipients—an attorney and a judge. Nominees may be nominated for more than one award category. The deadline for nominations is July 8 at 5 p.m. (MT). For more information or questions, please contact Kris Becker at kris.becker@sbnm.org or 505-797-6038.

Submit Your Nominations
 

Upcoming Programs from the

Center for Legal Education

REPLAY: Understanding Public Housing Resources


Health Law Legislative Roundup


Practical Lessons in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Law Practice

View Full Course Catalog
Legal Education Calendar

Equity in Justice Course Spotlight Overcoming Barriers to Justice: Serving People Experiencing Poverty


April 26

Noon - 1 p.m.

1.0 EIJ


This webinar, presented by Kasey Daniel, Director of Legal Services for the New Mexico State Bar Foundation, and Natalie Meyers, Managing Attorney of the Legal Resources for the Elderly Program (LREP), will take place on April 26 from noon to 1 p.m. (MT). The presenters will address the financial barriers to accessing justice that exist for many New Mexicans. After attending this webinar you will be able: to implement strategies to better serve people in poverty; and to empower clients to gain greater justice system access. 

Register For Overcoming Barriers to Justice: Serving People Experiencing Poverty
 

SBNM Professional Programs Group

The New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program (NM LAP)


Kindness


Did you know that acts of kindness can have significant positive effects on your own well-being? Research has shown that when people perform acts of kindness, such as helping others, volunteering, or simply being generous, they experience increased levels of serotonin. This phenomenon is often referred to as the "helper's high."


Additionally, studies have indicated that acts of kindness can lead to the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and social connection. This not only boosts your mood but also strengthens social bonds and can have a ripple effect.



So, being kind not only benefits others but can also enhance your own well-being and overall happiness!

New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program

Employee Assistance Program: Free Webinars in Q2 of 2024


The Employee Assistance Program and The Solutions Group are proud to host three free webinars during the second quarter of 2024, spanning a wide range of topics.


The first webinar, "Suicide Awareness, Prevention and Resources," will take place on April 29 from 4 to 5 p.m. (MT). The webinar will go over the impacts of suicide and what you can do to prevent it from happening, including available resources.


The second webinar, "Caring for Elders: Some Fundamentals," will be hosted on May 21 from 1 to 2 p.m. (MT). The webinar will cover what caring for elders entails and how to overcome the challenges associated with caring for others.


The third webinar, "Supporting LGBTQ+ People in Our Lives," will be presented on June 11 from 11 a.m. to noon (MT). This webinar will go in-depth on topics related to the LGBTQ+ community and how to be an effective ally to those in the community.

Register for "Suicide Awareness, Prevention and Resources"
Register for "Caring for Elders: Some Fundamentals"
Register for "Supporting LGBTQ+ People in Our Lives"

Meet the Friendly Faces of the New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program


Pamela Moore, MA, LPCC, currently serves as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Director of the State Bar of New Mexico's Professional Programs Group where she educates the legal community on positive health and well-being and assists in providing resources and services to any legal professional struggling with mental, emotional or behavioral issues.


Tenessa Eakins is the Case Manager of the State Bar of New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program, overseeing a 24-hour helpline and managing the NM LAP monitoring program. With a background as an EMT-B for San Diego's 911 services, she brings valuable experience to her role. Ms. Eakins is dedicated to promoting positive health and well-being within the legal community through educational initiatives.


Find more information about the New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program at www.sbnm.org/nmlap.

New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program

Judicial Wellness Program (NMJWP)


Did you know …. JWELL offers professional developments tools for Judges including a monthly JWELL Eblast which is an email containing content that addresses wellness issues that Judges face every day?  JWELL has an Advisory Subcommittee made up of judges, attorneys, members of the State Bar and AOC who meet each moth to come up with relatable content to support the judges in their work. Our past issues have covered decision fatigue, compassion fatigue, burnout and more. We have included our past JWELL Eblasts on our website. Please check them out for a wealth of information by visiting our website at https://www.sbnm.org/Member-Services/New-Mexico-Judicial-Wellness-Program.


Stay tuned to see what other services and resources JWELL is providing to all NM Judges.


Better together in the NM judiciary!

New Mexico Judicial Wellness Program

Professional Development Program (PDP)


In addition to other member resources, the Professional Development Program has developed and posted to the State Bar website checklists, forms, articles, and links to relevant resources to allow lawyers to follow best practices when engaged in succession planning, closing files, managing trust accounts, appearing before a tribunal in a virtual setting, and starting a small law firm. You can find them at the Professional Development Program tab on the State Bar’s website.

Professional Development Program

Presenting the "2024 Professional Development Institute" on May 9!

 

The State Bar of New Mexico's Professional Development Program (PDP) is proud to host the 2024 Professional Development Institute on May 9 at the State Bar Center. Featuring six sessions across a variety of topics, the 2024 Professional Development Institute will be held both in-person and virtually. In-person attendees will enjoy a continental breakfast, lunch and mocktail reception following the Institute. To register, please click the button below that matches your preferred attendance format.

Register to Attend In-Person
Register to Attend Virtually
 

Important Notices, Announcements and Deadlines

State Bar Notices 


Court Notices


Legal Community Notices

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 Third Judicial District Pro Bono Committee is sponsoring a FREE legal fair in Hatch, New Mexico, on May 18. The legal fair will go from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (MT) and will include a free consultation with a volunteer attorney on a first-come, first-served basis.


Consultations will be held at Hatch Municipal Court, located at 5 Chile Capital Lane, Hatch N.M. 87937. Bilingual attorneys and staff will be available.


The legal fair will include volunteer attorneys from multiple practice areas, including divorce, powers of attorney, employment, spousal support, contracts and more.


For more information regarding this legal fair, or if you wish to volunteer, please contact Chavez.R.Law@gmail.com.

 

The First Judicial Pro Bono Committee and the Volunteer Attorney Program of New Mexico Legal Aid will be sponsoring a legal fair in Espanola in person on April 27 at the Northern New Mexico College, Montoya Administration Building located at 921 N. Paseo de Onate Espanola, N.M. 87532. Consultations will be on a first come, first served basis and will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (MT).


Participants can earn one CLE credit for every three hours of volunteering!


If you have any questions, please contact Bella Zayani, Statewide Pro Bono Coordinator at nediaz@nmlegalaid.org.

Sign Up Here
 

NMILC Economic Justice Workshops 2024: Improving Economic Stability in Immigrant Communities with NMILC


Provide pro bono services with New Mexico Immigrant Law Center’s Economic Justice Workshop! This is a free pro se workshop for immigrant entrepreneurs seeking help with their business, no matter where they are in the process of forming their business. Brief advice/services include: obtaining an EIN, NMBTID, Articles of Organization, and city/county licenses.


Pro bono attorneys are trained on information specific to the immigrant community to prepare for providing brief/pro se services; attorneys are not asked to take on cases or provide ongoing support outside of scheduled workshop hours. Interpretation is provided as needed. 


Upcoming workshop dates:

Thursday, May 9, 4 - 6:30 p.m. (MT)


Location: NMILC Office (625 Silver Ave SE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87102)

Register to Volunteer
 

NMILC Pro Bono Clinic for SIJS State Predicate Orders


Provide pro bono services with New Mexico Immigrant Law Center’s SIJS program. SIJS is a status available to some young immigrants that provides a path to lawful permanent residence for that child.


During the clinic, pro bono attorneys will be assigned uncontested kinship/guardianship or sole custody cases and will meet with the clients in-person to complete this first step of their case. NMILC will provide support/mentorship from experienced staff/pro bono attorneys, templates and step-by-step instructions to help you. No family law or immigration law experience is required.


At the clinic, pro bono attorneys will complete initial predicate order steps with one assigned SIJS client in-person. All pro bono attorneys participating in the clinic are expected to continue providing pro bono legal services on SIJS cases following the clinic (an estimated 15-20 hours of work over the course the of the following two to four months). 


Training resources, interpretation/translation, and pro bono mentorship are provided for all pro bono attorneys. If you have any questions, please email NMILC Volunteer/Pro Bono Program Manager, Delaney Swink, at dswink@nmilc.org.


When: Friday, April 26, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (MT)

Where: Modrall Sperling Law Office (Address: 500 4th St. NW #1000, Albuquerque, N.M. 87102)

Register to Volunteer


The Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP) of New Mexico Legal Aid has one upcoming virtual FREE CLE session within the second quarter of 2024. VAP's Foreclosure Defense & Alternatives CLE Session, the last of its CLE sessions in the first half of 2024, will take place on June 6. Register today with the VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO to join the VAP volunteer attorney pool and sit in on informative and insightful CLE Sessions.

Sign Up Here


The Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP) and New Mexico Legal Aid offer FREE CLE sessions through their Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO Project. The final session in the first half of 2024, "Foreclosure Defense and Alternatives," will take place on June 6. The schedule for sessions in the first half of 2024 can be viewed by clicking the button below.

View Schedule
Pro Bono & Volunteer Opportunities Calendar
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
 

Careers at the State Bar

Staff Accountant
Client Protection Fund Commission Paralegal
 

Featured Member Benefit

Ruby


Ruby’s friendly, U.S.-based virtual receptionists answer your phone calls, 24/7/365, as a true extension of your firm! Answering with your custom greeting, they’re then able to make live transfers, take messages, perform intake, help with calendaring, or even assist with calendaring. Ready to answer all calls or be used as backup, Ruby is the best teammate you never had. State Bar members receive an 8% lifetime discount on all plans!

State Bar of New Mexico | 505-797-6000 | info@sbnm.org | www.sbnm.org