Jennifer Laws Principal Lecturer | UNM School of Law Clinical Programs
The School of Law's Association for Public Interest Law (APIL) has successfully raised $24,500 this year to fund student stipends for summer public interest work. This amount marks an increase of nearly $10,000 compared to the previous year. APIL continues its commitment to community service and legal equity by supporting underserved populations in New Mexico and beyond.
Each year, APIL organizes fundraising activities to help law students accept summer positions in nonprofit or government roles that often offer little or no compensation. These stipends assist students with living expenses, enabling them to pursue placements that provide legal support to communities in need.
This year's increased fundraising allows APIL to support seven student awardees with larger awards that consider rising living costs. These students will contribute significantly to organizations facing budget cuts while gaining valuable legal experience.
The success of the fundraising campaign was attributed to the generosity of longtime donors, new contributors, former APIL officers and scholarship recipients, as well as small-dollar contributions from the community. Local businesses such as High and Dry Brewing, New Mexico United, Santa Fe Brewing, and Stone Age Climbing Gym also supported the efforts by contributing raffle items and donating proceeds.
APIL expressed gratitude for the continued support that empowers future public interest lawyers. Special thanks were extended to Singleton Schreiber, Professor Emeritus Peter Winograd, Feliz Rael, Equal Access to Justice, Smith and Marjanovic, the Soto Law Office, the New Mexico State Bar Public Law Section, Sheila Brown, and the ACLU of New Mexico for their generous donations.
Rachel Swanteson-Franz, APIL State Bar Liaison and second-year law student stated: “New Mexicans come together in hard times and double down on the support and the work. APIL, our supporters, and the scholarship recipients illustrate what makes UNM’s School of Law and New Mexico so special—a deep and meaningful connection to community and a commitment to work that gives back."
Congratulations were extended to the 2025 awardees:
- August Ryan will work with the New Mexico Prison and Jail Project.
- Cassandra Luna will join the State Ethics Commission.
- Jimmy Herndon will be at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
- Kaitlyn Urenda Harrison will assist at NM Legal Aid Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic.
- Cam Rosenberg will intern with the Federal Defender Office for New Mexico.
- Ruben Granados will work at New Mexico Legal Aid Low-Income Tax Clinic.
- Julia Valero will continue her work with the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center.
These students are set to gain invaluable experience while contributing positively through their respective placements this summer.
