Starting June 1, in a joint project between the New Mexico Court of Appeals and the State Bar of New Mexico, the State Bar will begin emailing Court of Appeals opinions to the membership as the opinions are filed. Additional details forthcoming.

The New Mexico Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the State Bar of New Mexico, is currently seeking staff attorneys for its two legal helplines, including the Legal Resources for the Elderly Program (LREP) and the Modest Means Helpline. One position is full-time (40 hours/week) and one is part-time (30 hours/week). The full-time position's salary is $60,000-$65,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. The part-time position's salary is $45,000-$50,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. Most of the work can be performed remotely from within New Mexico, with occasional mandatory office days. For more information on the position, please visit the State Bar's Career Center or view the full PDF for the position that includes instructions on how to apply by clicking the button below.

Equal Access to Justice (EAJ) has announced their new elected Board of Directors. This includes EAJ President M. Karen Kilgore, Vice-President Charles K. Purcell and Treasurer Susan Miller. The Board also includes Dan Akenhead, Sonya Bellafant, Bruce Cottrell, Sireesha Manne, Rodolfo D. Sanchez, Jeanine Steffy and David Stout. The newly elected board is instrumental in supporting EAJ’s longstanding efforts to break down barriers to justice by increasing resources for civil legal aid nonprofits.

The Equity in Justice webpage has been revamped! It now features multiple new programs, led by Dr. Amanda Parker, that can help you and your organization or firm with EIJ-related concerns.

Consultation for Your Firm or Organization: The Equity in Justice Program can consult with your firm or organization about any concerns or issues related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. We can help you develop a strategic plan to address recruitment, hiring, and retention and integrate core values and best practices into all aspects of your organization at no cost. If you would like more information, please fill out this form: https://form.jotform.com/231294629830056

Coaching & Facilitation: Dr. Amanda Parker is a certified facilitator and an experienced educator who can assist you with problem-solving specific situations and professional coaching related to diversity, equity, and inclusion at no cost. For more information on coaching and facilitation, please fill out this form: https://form.jotform.com/231294840537055

Education & Training: The Equity in Justice Program offers long or short-term educational planning for your firm and offers CLE credit for many sessions. We can also run book groups and learning groups that are exclusive to your organization or firm and facilitate dialogue that leads to deeper learning and stronger relationships. Training can and should be customized to your needs. We do not take a one-size-fits all approach. Please fill out this form if you would like any more information: https://form.jotform.com/231295160687057

The Client Protection Fund Commission finished its seventeenth year of operation in 2022, paying nearly $180,000 across 48 separate claims against seven lawyers. Pursuant to Rule 17A-018(A), information related to claims, claimants and respondent lawyers with exceptions for approved claims and other limited purposes is confidential and is unavailable to the public as such. You can view the full report by visiting www.sbnm.org/CPF.

The Equity in Justice Learning Group, led by Dr. Amanda Parker, Director of Equity in Justice at the State Bar of New Mexico, has been meeting since the beginning of the year and would like to encourage more people to attend. The group, open to all legal professionals, focuses on learning foundational concepts in relation to equity, inclusion, justice and belonging, deepening understanding about forms of oppression, developing knowledge about ourselves and others, learning community through dialogue and building advocacy and ally strategies. The learning group meets virtually every other Wednesday and will start meeting from noon to 1:30 p.m. (MT) on May 24. For any questions, please contact Dr. Parker at amanda.parker@sbnm.org or call 505-797-6085.

Nominations are being accepted for the 2023 State Bar of New Mexico Annual Awards to recognize those who have distinguished themselves or who have made exemplary contributions to the State Bar or legal profession in the past year. The awards will be presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting on Thurs., July 27, at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa. For more information about the Annual Awards and nomination process, please contact Kris Becker at kris.becker@sbnm.org or 505-797-6038. The deadline for submission is June 1.