Indian Law Program
About Indian Law
UNM School of law has a strong and longstanding tradition of dedication and commitment to the development of the field of Indian law education and assisting in the legal protection and representation of Native American nations and communities.
UNM Law School early recognized the significance of Indian sovereignty and, in 1967, pioneered two areas of law. UNM 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. The Indian Law program offers the Indian Law Certificate, Southwest Indian Law Clinic (SILC), Tribal Law Journal, Native American Law Students Association (NALSA), coursework, and scholarly research as well as guest lectures, seminars and social activities.
Contact Us
John P. LaVelle
Indian Law Program Director
Phone: 505-277-0951
Email: lavelle@law.unm.edu
Mitzi Vigil
Indian Law Program Administrator
Phone: 505-277-0405
Email: vigil@law.unm.edu
