Start Fresh with a JD from New Mexico School of Law

Summary

New Mexico School of Law (NMSL) is a private, non-profit law school located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Established in 1996, it is the only law school in the state, as well as one of just two accredited by the American Bar Association. NMSL offers a Juris Doctor (JD) and a Master of Laws (LLM) in Intellectual Property Law program. The school also offers an LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law program.


NMSL's JD program is accredited by the American Bar Association, and focuses on educating the next generation of legal professionals in New Mexico. Through its teaching faculty and 11 legal clinics, the school provides students with an in-depth, hands-on legal education. The curriculum is comprised of a mix of traditional and experiential learning, with students taking classes on such topics as contracts, torts, constitutional law, criminal law, legal writing and research, and ethics. The school also offers a range of electives, including international business transactions, environmental law, and Native American law.

In addition to its Juris Doctor program, New Mexico School of Law also offers a Master of Laws (LLM) program in Intellectual Property Law, as well as a Master of Laws (LLM) program in Environmental and Natural Resources Law. The school's LLM in Intellectual Property Law program is designed to help students prepare for the developing field of IP law and offers a wide range of electives in the areas of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and licensing. The school's LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive foundation in the legal aspects of environmental law and natural resources management.

New Mexico School of Law is also home to 11 legal clinics, which provide students with the opportunity to gain real-world legal experience. These include family law and domestic violence, criminal law, Native American rights, civil rights and civil liberties, immigration and refugee law, natural resources law, and animal law. In addition to its clinical program, the school has an active moot court program, in which students engage in oral argument practice and appellate advocacy.

Overall, New Mexico School of Law is an excellent opportunity for aspiring attorneys looking to begin their legal career in New Mexico. The school provides a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum, as well as a range of experiential learning opportunities. Students can also take advantage of the school's 11 legal clinics and moot court program. With its ABA accreditation and comprehensive legal program, New Mexico School of Law is the perfect place for students looking to gain the legal knowledge and experience they need to succeed in their chosen field.
 

The University of New Mexico School of Law

Established in 1947, the University of New Mexico School of Law is one of the oldest law schools in the United States, offering students a comprehensive legal education in the heart of New Mexico. Located in Albuquerque, a metropolitan area of over 500,000 people, the law school is part of a larger academic environment within the UNM campus that offers a diverse range of opportunities to engage in legal scholarship and practice.
 

Programs Offered at UNM School of Law

The University of New Mexico School of Law offers a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and a joint J.D. Master of Laws (LL.M.) and PhD degree in Law and Economics. Additionally, UNM School of Law offers concentrations in Business and Commercial Law, International and Comparative Law, Intellectual Property and Technology Law, Indian Law, and Public Interest Law, among others.
 

Faculty and Alumni at UNM School of Law

The faculty of the University of New Mexico School of Law is comprised of distinguished individuals who have been recognized nationally for their teaching and research accomplishments, and many have achieved distinction in their respective fields of law. UNM Law alumni have achieved professional success and are active members of their respective communities, both in New Mexico and throughout the United States.
 

Notable Resources at UNM School of Law

The University of New Mexico School of Law offers access to numerous resources, including the Center for Law and Biomedical Sciences, the Center for Public Interest Law, the Indian Law Program, and the Natural Resources and Environmental Law Program. Additionally, UNM School of Law students benefit from access to the school's libraries and research centers, as well as a variety of other services.
 

UNM School of Law - A Top-tier Law School

The University of New Mexico School of Law consistently ranks among the top tier law schools in the United States. In 2021, UNM School of Law earned a spot in the top 50 law schools according to both the U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review. UNM Law graduates are well-equipped to succeed in the legal profession, and many have gone on to practice law at top law firms, serve in judicial positions, work in academia, and shape public policy.

The University of New Mexico School of Law reflects the spirit of the historic Southwest. From its architecture to its diverse student body to its unique courses of study, UNM Law offers not only a fine education (it is ABA approved), but a great overall learning experience that takes advantage of the cultural appeal of Albuquerque.

For example, New Mexico is widely known for its Native American population, and UNM Law offers a special program for its students to earn an Indian Law Certificate. UNM Law recognized early the significance of Indian sovereignty and, in 1967, pioneered two areas of law. It was the first law school to initiate the effort to increase the number of American Indians and Alaskan Natives in the legal profession. Since then, the law school has led the way in educating lawyers among the American Indian and Alaska Native populations. UNM also incorporated Indian Law into the curriculum and developed one of the most comprehensive Indian law programs in the country.

Taking advantage of its proximity to an international border, UNM Law also offers a strong program in Mexican Law in conjunction with the Guanajuato Summer Law Institute in Guanajuato, Mexico. Students receive an introduction to Mexican Law and international law subjects related to Latin America. In 2001, the Institute added a two-week externship program which gives law students the opportunity to extern under the supervision of Mexican judges. The Institute is organized in cooperation with one of Mexico's leading law centers. This cooperative effort results in a thorough introduction of non-Mexican students and lawyers to Mexico's legal and cultural systems.

Yet another area of study which takes advantage of the school's location is its special program in Natural Resources. Albuquerque sits on the Rio Grande and is also bordered by the Sandia Mountains and an old volcanic mesa. It's a beautiful area with plenty of nature to study, so it's only fitting that UNM Law offers the Natural Resources Certificate Program, which allows students to gain a more comprehensive understanding of resources problems. Its curriculum includes all law school courses concerning natural resources and the environment, as well as several resources-related graduate courses offered through other academic units on campus—Biology, Economics, Civil Engineering, Geography, Geology, Political Science, Public Administration, and Architecture and Planning. As a result of their more extensive contact with members of the law faculty who specialize in resources and environmental programs, students who participate in the certificate program have greater opportunity to become aware of and involved in ongoing research projects and legislative developments.

The school's Clinical Law Program is nationally recognized as one of the best in the United States. It is one of New Mexico's largest law firms. The law school has offered clinical education as a basic part of its curriculum since 1970 and is a pioneer in developing programs in practical legal skills. The program ensures that students receive a solid background in professional skills, values, and practices as they progress from student to practicing professional.

For example, one clinic that ties in with the area's Native American culture is the Southwest Indian Law Clinic. Students represent individual clients with Indian Law issues and work with Indian communities on challenging contemporary standards. Working with native clients exposes students to legal issues that arise as a result of oppression, poverty, and under-representation. Students may employ legal solutions that are premised on tribal sovereignty, cultural rights or traditional law as well as common legal principles.

UNM Law offers a student faculty ratio of 10:1, numbers which make it among the best in the country. With that ratio, classes are conducted in smaller environments, where the professors and students can interact more personally, providing for a strong sense of community.

The faculty features attorneys with some impressive resumes, including those who've argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, for example. Another served as associate counsel to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and recently fought to spare the life of high-profile defendant Terry Nichols. They have national reputations in their areas, yet are committed to both classroom and individual instruction. It is common to see students and faculty members discussing law-related events, current events, or simply a movie or sporting event.

Tuition is reasonable, compared to some other law schools, and financial assistance is available. In addition, UNM Law offers grants based both on financial need and on the merit of a student's application, academic achievements, etc. Also, Native American Economic Development Scholarships of $5,000 each are available to eligible students.

In addition to the standard three-year J.D. program, UNM Law also features the Flexible-Time Legal Education Program (FTLEP), which allows qualified law students to take less than the minimum of 12 credit hours currently required each semester. FTLEP students may take as few as eight credit hours, but must complete the J.D. degree in no more than nine semesters. The program enables students who take eight or nine credit hours to work more than 20 hours per week.

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