Courts News
Southwest Public Policy Institute says public records access lawsuit against City of Albuquerque was 'the only mechanism available to us'
A public policy organization has sued the City of Albuquerque and its City Clerk to obtain expanded access to public records requests, a move which it called “the only mechanism available to us to compel compliance.”
Voters to decide on New Mexico Constitutional Amendment 3 in November
New Mexico voters will decide on Constitutional Amendment 3 in the upcoming November ballot. The proposed amendment, if passed, would permit the Dean of the University of New Mexico School of Law to appoint a designee to chair judicial nominating commissions when necessary.
Latest News
UNM digital repository sees high demand for legal scholarship
By New Mexico Sun | Oct 1, 2024
The University of New Mexico's (UNM) decision to migrate its School of Law's three law journals to the UNM Digital Repository has increased accessibility for legal scholars' work worldwide. This transition has also allowed an analysis of which articles are most impactful based on download statistics.
School of Law appoints Rachel O. Woods as associate director
By New Mexico Sun | Oct 1, 2024
The School of Law has announced the appointment of Rachel O. Woods as the new Associate Director of Career Services. In her new role, Woods will offer career guidance, lead professional development workshops, and act as a liaison to employers throughout the state.
Class of 2004 celebrates two decades since graduation
By New Mexico Sun | Oct 1, 2024
The class of 2004 held its 20th reunion on September 6, 2024. Out of the ninety-two graduates from that year, twenty-nine attended the event.
University remembers law professor Willis (Bill) Ellis
By New Mexico Sun | Oct 1, 2024
Willis (Bill) Ellis, a respected Professor Emeritus of the School of Law, passed away on August 20, 2024. He was 96 years old.
Professor appointed inaugural chair for children's law at UNM
By New Mexico Sun | Oct 1, 2024
David B. Martinez, Kelly Stout Sanchez, and Julio C. Romero, partners at the law firm Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero P.C., have donated $2.5 million to the University of New Mexico School of Law. This contribution has led to the establishment of an endowed chair named the F. Michael Hart Chair in Children’s Law, honoring Mike Hart, a partner at their firm.
School of Law begins new clinical law program with swearing-in ceremony
By New Mexico Sun | Oct 1, 2024
The School of Law has commenced its 2024 Clinical Law Program with a swearing-in ceremony held on August 15, 2024. Students took the oath of office under the guidance of Judge Zachary Ives from the New Mexico Court of Appeals.
Alicia Ulibarri joins Community Governance Attorney Program
By New Mexico Sun | Sep 30, 2024
Alicia Ulibarri, a third-year law student at the School of Law, has been selected for the Community Governance Attorney Program (CGAP). Established by the New Mexico Legislature in 2019, CGAP provides legal services to land grant, acequia, and colonias communities. The program connects these communities with law students who offer support and requires participants to work for two years after graduation for an organization serving these communities.
Federal judge overrules New Mexico officials in favor of election watchdog
By New Mexico Sun | Sep 6, 2024
A federal judge last week handed a legal victory to the Voter Reference Foundation (VRF), an election watchdog group, after ruling that New Mexico state officials unlawfully discriminated against the group. The dispute centers on VRF's program that makes voter registration data publicly available.
UNM School of Law celebrates new semester with annual fiesta
By New Mexico Sun | Aug 23, 2024
On August 23, 2024, the University of New Mexico School of Law organized its annual Back to School Fiesta. The event took place on the back patio of the law school and was attended by over 400 individuals celebrating the start of a new semester.
New Mexico AG to Grisham: ‘My duty to uphold and defend the constitutional rights of every citizen takes precedence’
By New Mexico Sun Report | Sep 14, 2023
In a letter to New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez stated that he can not support the governor’s order to suspend the right to carry firearms and will not defend the gun ban in court. He cites the Second Amendment, as many other individuals and groups have, and disagrees over the governor making it a public health emergency.
Attorney General Torrez: 'It is simply inexcusable for them to continue to place profits over people'
By New Mexico Sun Report | Jun 9, 2023
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a lawsuit targeting 21 companies that reportedly continue producing toxic PFAS chemicals.
Environmental groups sue state officials: ‘New Mexico’s failure to control oil and gas pollution violates our constitution and fundamental human rights’
By New Mexico Sun Report | May 23, 2023
A coalition of citizens and environmental groups has sued the state of New Mexico, its state legislature, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other state agencies for violating their state's constitutional duty to control pollution from the oil and gas industry.