Reed Benson Professor Emeritus | UNM School of Law Clinical Programs
Professor Emeritus Reed Benson has been elected as an Honorary Trustee of the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law. The election took place on July 16, 2025, during the Foundation’s Annual Meeting of the Trustees Council.
The title of Honorary Trustee is regarded as the Foundation’s lifetime achievement award and represents its highest honor. Candidates are nominated by active Trustees, and Professor Emeritus Benson received several nominations from law professors across the country.
The selection process is competitive, with few nominees ultimately chosen. The Foundation’s Nominating Committee evaluates each nominee's career contributions in detail. Professor Emeritus Benson previously served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors and represented both the University of New Mexico and the University of Wyoming on the Trustees Council for two decades. His committee work includes seven years on the Scholarships Committee. He also chaired and co-chaired major educational events such as the Water Section at the Annual Institute and the Water Law Institute, in addition to planning other programs.
Professor Emeritus Benson contributed to legal education by editing the Natural Resources Law Teachers Newsletter for 11 years. He has written or co-written numerous books, law review articles, and four institute papers for the Foundation. Throughout his career, he involved students and faculty colleagues in Foundation activities.
As a representative for UNM, Professor Emeritus Benson helped his students obtain scholarships, funding to attend conferences focused on natural resources law, and support for networking with local practitioners. He encouraged engagement with practicing lawyers as a key part of entering this field.
“The School of Law and the Foundation congratulate Professor Emeritus Benson on this well-deserved accomplishment.”
