New Mexico School of Law
It was the first law school to initiate the effort to increase the number of American Indians and Alaskan Natives in the legal profession.
Content
LAW SCHOOL PROFILE
1. 800. 973.1177
New Mexico School of Law
[by Tom Horne] New Mexico School of Law offers an excellent broad legal education with a touch of local flavor by providing options for people who want to study legal issues related to the area’s natural resources or indigenous people, among other things.
The University of New Mexico School of Law reflects the spirit of the historic Southwest. From its architecture to its diverse student body to its unique courses of study, UNM Law offers not only a fine education (it is ABA approved), but a great overall learning experience that takes advantage of the cultural appeal of Albuquerque. For example, New Mexico is widely known for its Native American population, and UNM Law offers a special program for its students to earn an Indian Law Certificate. UNM Law recognized early the significance of Indian sovereignty and, in 1967, pioneered two areas of law. It was the first law school to initiate the effort to increase the number of American Indians and Alaskan Natives in the legal profession. Since then, the law school has led the way in educating lawyers among the American Indian and Alaska Native populations. UNM also incorporated Indian Law into the curriculum and developed one of the most comprehensive Indian law programs in the country. Taking advantage of its proximity to an international border, UNM Law also offers a strong program in Mexican Law in conjunction with the Guanajuato Summer Law Institute in Guanajuato, Mexico. Students receive an introduction to Mexican Law and international law subjects related to Latin America. In 2001, the Institute added a twoweek externship program which gives law students the opportunity to extern under the supervision of Mexican judges. The Institute is organized in cooperation with one of Mexico’s leading law centers. This coopera-
tive effort results in a thorough introduction of non-Mexican students and lawyers to Mexico’s legal and cultural systems. Yet another area of study which takes advantage of the school’s location is its special program in Natural Resources. Albuquerque sits on the Rio Grande and is also bordered by the Sandia Mountains and an old volcanic mesa. It’s a beautiful area with plenty of nature to study, so it’s only fitting that UNM Law offers the Natural Resources Certificate Program, which allows students to gain a more comprehensive understanding of resources problems. Its curriculum includes all law school courses concerning natural resources and the environment, as well as several resources-related graduate courses offered through other academic units on campus--Biology, Economics, Civil Engineering, Geography, Geology, Political Science, Public Administration, and Architecture and Planning. As a result of their more extensive contact with members of the law faculty who specialize in resources and environmental programs, students who participate in the certificate program have greater opportunity to become aware of and involved in ongoing research projects and legislative developments. The school’s Clinical Law Program is nationally recognized as one of the best in the United States. It is one of New Mexico’s largest law firms. The law school has offered clinical education as a basic part of its curriculum since 1970 and is a pioneer in developing programs in practical legal skills. The program ensures that students receive
a solid background in professional skills, values, and practices as they progress from student to practicing professional. For example, one clinic that ties in with the area’s Native American culture is the Southwest Indian Law Clinic. Students represent individual clients with Indian Law issues and work with Indian communities on challenging contemporary standards. Working with native clients exposes students to legal issues that arise as a result of oppression, poverty, and under-representation. Students may employ legal solutions that are premised on tribal sovereignty, cultural rights or traditional law as well as common legal principles. UNM Law offers a student faculty ratio of 10:1, numbers which make it among the best in the country. With that ratio, classes are conducted in smaller environments, where the professors and students can interact more personally, providing for a strong sense of community. The faculty features attorneys with some impressive resumes, including those who’ve argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, for example. Another served as associate counsel to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and recently fought to spare the life of highprofile defendant Terry Nichols. They have national reputations in their areas, yet are committed to both classroom and individual instruction. It is common to see students and faculty members discussing law-related events, current events, or simply a movie or sporting event.
PAGE 1
continued on back
LAW SCHOOL PROFILE
1.800. 973. 1177
Tuition is reasonable, compared to some other law schools, and financial assistance is available. In addition, UNM Law offers grants based both on financial need and on the merit of a student’s application, academic achievements, etc. Also, Native American Economic Development Scholarships of $5,000 each are available to eligible students. In addition to the standard three-year J.D. program, UNM Law also features the FlexibleTime Legal Education Program (FTLEP), which allows qualified law students to take less than the minimum of 12 credit hours currently required each semester. FTLEP students may take as few as eight credit hours, but must complete the J.D. degree in no more than nine semesters. The program enables students who take eight or nine credit hours to work more than 20 hours per week.
PAGE 2
1. 800. 973.1177
New Mexico School of Law
[by Tom Horne] New Mexico School of Law offers an excellent broad legal education with a touch of local flavor by providing options for people who want to study legal issues related to the area’s natural resources or indigenous people, among other things.
The University of New Mexico School of Law reflects the spirit of the historic Southwest. From its architecture to its diverse student body to its unique courses of study, UNM Law offers not only a fine education (it is ABA approved), but a great overall learning experience that takes advantage of the cultural appeal of Albuquerque. For example, New Mexico is widely known for its Native American population, and UNM Law offers a special program for its students to earn an Indian Law Certificate. UNM Law recognized early the significance of Indian sovereignty and, in 1967, pioneered two areas of law. It was the first law school to initiate the effort to increase the number of American Indians and Alaskan Natives in the legal profession. Since then, the law school has led the way in educating lawyers among the American Indian and Alaska Native populations. UNM also incorporated Indian Law into the curriculum and developed one of the most comprehensive Indian law programs in the country. Taking advantage of its proximity to an international border, UNM Law also offers a strong program in Mexican Law in conjunction with the Guanajuato Summer Law Institute in Guanajuato, Mexico. Students receive an introduction to Mexican Law and international law subjects related to Latin America. In 2001, the Institute added a twoweek externship program which gives law students the opportunity to extern under the supervision of Mexican judges. The Institute is organized in cooperation with one of Mexico’s leading law centers. This coopera-
tive effort results in a thorough introduction of non-Mexican students and lawyers to Mexico’s legal and cultural systems. Yet another area of study which takes advantage of the school’s location is its special program in Natural Resources. Albuquerque sits on the Rio Grande and is also bordered by the Sandia Mountains and an old volcanic mesa. It’s a beautiful area with plenty of nature to study, so it’s only fitting that UNM Law offers the Natural Resources Certificate Program, which allows students to gain a more comprehensive understanding of resources problems. Its curriculum includes all law school courses concerning natural resources and the environment, as well as several resources-related graduate courses offered through other academic units on campus--Biology, Economics, Civil Engineering, Geography, Geology, Political Science, Public Administration, and Architecture and Planning. As a result of their more extensive contact with members of the law faculty who specialize in resources and environmental programs, students who participate in the certificate program have greater opportunity to become aware of and involved in ongoing research projects and legislative developments. The school’s Clinical Law Program is nationally recognized as one of the best in the United States. It is one of New Mexico’s largest law firms. The law school has offered clinical education as a basic part of its curriculum since 1970 and is a pioneer in developing programs in practical legal skills. The program ensures that students receive
a solid background in professional skills, values, and practices as they progress from student to practicing professional. For example, one clinic that ties in with the area’s Native American culture is the Southwest Indian Law Clinic. Students represent individual clients with Indian Law issues and work with Indian communities on challenging contemporary standards. Working with native clients exposes students to legal issues that arise as a result of oppression, poverty, and under-representation. Students may employ legal solutions that are premised on tribal sovereignty, cultural rights or traditional law as well as common legal principles. UNM Law offers a student faculty ratio of 10:1, numbers which make it among the best in the country. With that ratio, classes are conducted in smaller environments, where the professors and students can interact more personally, providing for a strong sense of community. The faculty features attorneys with some impressive resumes, including those who’ve argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, for example. Another served as associate counsel to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and recently fought to spare the life of highprofile defendant Terry Nichols. They have national reputations in their areas, yet are committed to both classroom and individual instruction. It is common to see students and faculty members discussing law-related events, current events, or simply a movie or sporting event.
PAGE 1
continued on back
LAW SCHOOL PROFILE
1.800. 973. 1177
Tuition is reasonable, compared to some other law schools, and financial assistance is available. In addition, UNM Law offers grants based both on financial need and on the merit of a student’s application, academic achievements, etc. Also, Native American Economic Development Scholarships of $5,000 each are available to eligible students. In addition to the standard three-year J.D. program, UNM Law also features the FlexibleTime Legal Education Program (FTLEP), which allows qualified law students to take less than the minimum of 12 credit hours currently required each semester. FTLEP students may take as few as eight credit hours, but must complete the J.D. degree in no more than nine semesters. The program enables students who take eight or nine credit hours to work more than 20 hours per week.
PAGE 2
