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School of Law

Kevin K. Washburn, Dean
School of Law, Bratton Hall
MSC11 6070
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
(505) 277-4700

Distinguished Professor
James W. Ellis, J.D., University of California-Berkeley

Professors
Marsha Baum, M.S.L.S., Columbia University; J.D., SUNY at Buffalo
Norman C. Bay, J.D., Harvard University
Reed Benson, J.D., University of Michigan
Barbara E. Bergman, J.D., Stanford University, (Associate Dean, Academic Affairs)
Sherri L. Burr, J.D., Yale University
Denise Fort, J.D., Catholic University of America
Christian G. Fritz, Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley; J.D., University of California, Hastings
Laura Gomez, J.D., Ph.D., Stanford University
Ellen Gauna, J.D., The University of New Mexico
Scott Hughes, LL.M., Temple University
April Land, LL.M., Georgetown University  (Associate Dean, Clinical Education)
John P. LaVelle, J.D., University of California-Berkeley
Nathalie Martin, LL.M., Temple University
Alfred D. Mathewson, J.D., Yale University
Max Minzner, J.D., Yale University
Jennifer Moore, J.D., Harvard University
Margaret Montoya, J.D., Harvard University
J. Michael Norwood, J.D., The University of New Mexico
Aliza Organick, J.D., The University of New Mexico
Sergio Pareja, J.D., Georgetown University
Carol Parker, J.D., Wayne State University MSI, University of Michigan (Director of Library)
Elizabeth Rapaport, Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University; J.D., Harvard University
Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, J.D., University of California-Los Angeles
Carol Suzuki, J.D., Columbia University
Kevin Washburn, J.D., Yale University
Christine Zuni Cruz, J.D., The University of New Mexico

Associate Professors
Camille Carey, J.D., University of California- Los Angeles
Barbara Creel, J.D., The University of New Mexico
Jose L. Martinez, J.D., University of California-Berkeley

Assistant Professors
George Bach, J.D., The University of New Mexico
Yael Cannon, J.D., Stanford University
Dawinder Sidhu, J.D., The George Washington School of Law
Kevin Tu, J.D., University of Washington

Legal Writing Instructors
Barbara Blumenfeld, J.D., Wayne State University
Steven Homer, J.D., Harvard University

Professors Emeriti
Michael B. Browde, J.D., Georgetown University
Robert J. Desiderio, J.D., Boston College
Charles T. DuMars, J.D., University of Arizona
Willis H. Ellis, J.D., Indiana University
Myron Fink, M.S.L.S., Columbia University; LL.M., New York Law School
Richard A. Gonzales, J.D., New York University
Frederick Hart, LL.M., New York University
G. Emlen Hall, J.D., Harvard University
Michele S. G. Hermann, LL.M., Harvard University
Ruth L. Kovnat, LL.B., Southern Methodist University
William T. MacPherson, Jr., J.D., The University of New Mexico
Mario E. Occhialino, Jr., J.D., Georgetown University
Theodore Parnall, J.D., The University of New Mexico
Leo M. Romero, LL.M., Georgetown University
Robert L. Schwartz, J.D., Harvard University
Gloria Valencia-Weber, J.D., Harvard University
Peter A. Winograd, LL.M., New York University
Sheryl Wolf, LL.M., Yale University

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Introduction

The State Bar of New Mexico having previously adopted a resolution to that end and the Legislature having financial provision, the Regents of The University of New Mexico, on March 31, 1947, as expressly authorized by Laws 1889, Ch. 138, Sec. 15, approved the establishment of a School of Law.

Accreditation

The school is fully accredited; it was approved by the American Bar Association on February 24, 1948, and membership in the Association of American Law Schools was granted in December 1948.

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Degree Program

The University of New Mexico School of Law offers a full-time course of study leading to the degree of Juris Doctor (J.D.).

Admission Requirements

Information about the procedure for applying to the School of Law is contained in the School of Law Catalog. All applicants for admission to the School of Law are required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), to register for the Law School Data Assembly Service and to have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university before time of registration. Application material is available after September 1; the application deadline is February 1.

Beginning law students will be admitted at the opening of the fall semester only. No part-time students are admitted.

Graduation Requirements

Detailed information about graduation requirements for the School of Law is contained in the School of Law Bulletin and Handbook of Policies. To be graduated from the University of New Mexico with a J.D. degree, a student must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Residence. The student must spend the equivalent of at least two full academic years in residence at accredited law schools.
2. Credit hours. The student must earn at least 86 hours of law credit.
3. Grade point average. The student must attain at least a 2.00 overall grade point average.
4. Required Courses.
   
   • a. First-year. The student must take the full first-year curriculum offered upon entrance.
   • b. Professional responsibility. The student must take and pass a professional responsibility course: Ethics (LAW 750).
   • c. Clinic. The student must participate satisfactorily in at least 6 hours of clinical law school credit, as prescribed by the faculty. No extern field experience courses or skills courses apply toward this requirement. There are prerequisites and/or corequisites for all clinical courses.
   • d. Advanced writing requirement. Students are required to complete the Advanced Writing Requirement by the beginning of their sixth semester.

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Additional Information

Detailed information for the School of Law is contained in the School of Law Bulletin and Handbook of Policies.

Dismissal/Probation/Suspension

The School of Law Policy on academic retention and suspension, found in the School of Law Bulletin and Handbook of Policies, governs law students with regard to academic probation, suspension and dismissal.

Transfer Procedures

The School of Law accepts a limited number of transfer students who have completed one full-time year at other ABA-approved law schools. Transfer applicants are considered for admission only if they 1) have outstanding records at the law school previously attended; or 2) are in good standing at the law school previously attended, are residents of New Mexico and have a compelling reason to continue their legal education at the University of New Mexico. Credits earned at other law schools that do not meet their minimum graduation requirements are not acceptable for transfer credit to the University of New Mexico School of Law. Information about the procedure for applying to the School of Law is contained in the School of Law Catalog. The deadline for submitting transfer applications is June 15. The deadline for completing a transfer application file is July 15. If admitted with advanced standing to the University of New Mexico Juris Doctor degree program, the student’s right to continue in that program depends entirely on work done at the University of New Mexico. Transfer students are ineligible for certain prizes and awards given by the Law School.

Student Aid

See the School of Law Catalog for scholarships, awards and loans available to law students.

Additional Expenses

All students registered in the School of Law are expected to pay, in addition to the University’s tuition and fees for residents and non-residents, the following:

1. Duplicating and Computer fees. All law students will be charged a basic annual fee for duplicating and computer costs. This fee is $300.00 ($150.00 paid each semester. This fee may change without notice.)
2. Malpractice insurance. New Mexico does not mandate practicing lawyers to carry malpractice insurance. The School of Law Clinic, however, believes it is fundamental professional responsibility to protect clients from potential harm which may be caused by our negligence. The Clinic negotiates a new malpractice insurance premium each year, buying the most coverage for the most reasonable rate. To keep the cost down for each student, all students enrolled in Clinical courses are required to pay an equitable share of the cost of maintaining this insurance. This fee is approximately $120.00. Students are informed of the actual rate no later than the first day of Clinic classes and will pay their fee to the School of Law during the semester in which the student is enrolled in Clinical courses.
3. Student Bar Association dues. All students registered in the School of Law become members of the Student Bar Association (SBA). SBA officers collect one time, voluntary dues charge of $90.00 from first year students during the first week of the fall semester. Payment of these dues entitles each student to a locker and allows participation in SBA-sponsored activities.

Honors

1. Semester honors. Any law student in good standing will be eligible for:
   
   • a. Dean’s List. Grade point average of 3.50 or higher during a semester in which 12 or more credit hours are earned, of which at least 9 are graded.
   • b. Honor Roll. Grade point average of 3.00 or higher during a semester in which 12 or more credit hours are earned, of which at least 9 are graded.
2. Graduation honors. The J.D. degree may, in the discretion of the faculty, be awarded with the honors indicated to graduating students who have successfully completed the requirements prescribed by the faculty and who have achieved the following overall grade point averages in their law school work.

   cum laude	3.40
   magna cum laude	3.60
   summa cum laude	3.80

3. Thesis honors. The faculty annually may award one or more special certificates of honor to students who produce a thesis of exceptional quality. If the student’s thesis is deemed to be of exceptional quality, a certificate of honor and cash prize shall be awarded to the student.
4. Order of the Coif.  A chapter of the Order of the Coif was established at the School in 1971. This prestigious national organization honors the top 10% of each year’s graduating class.
5. Other awards and prizes are described in detail in the School of Law Bulletin and Handbook of Policies.

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Associated Departments

Law