This course is an introduction to the study of Constitutional Law. The focus will be on the structural framework established by the Constitution, including principles of federalism and the role of the Supreme Court in policing the constitutional order. Among other things, we will study the doctrine of judicial review, the reach of federal legislative power, limits on the reach of state power, the workings of the Supreme Court, and separation of powers and limits on the exercise of federal judicial power.

This course will introduce students to sources of international law, states, international organizations and non-governmental organizations, international dispute settlement, jurisdiction, human rights, international humanitarian law, and the use of force. This is a three-credit course that is open to first year as well as second and third year law students.

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of property law, focusing on the role of possession in allocating the various rights and responsibilities connected with personal and real property. The course covers acquisition of initial property rights, adverse possession, donative transfers, the evolution and nomenclature of interests in estates in land and future interests, concurrent property rights, and may also include marital property rights or takings. First Year Course. Required.

Civil Procedure I is an introduction to procedures employed by state and federal courts for resolution of civil disputes. The course investigates the process of forum selection, the rules implementing the requirement of notice and an opportunity to be heard, the pleadings stage of litigation, the discovery process, and the summary judgment mechanism as a device for terminating litigation prior to trial.

This course builds on core concepts and tools learned in ELA I with a focus on argumentation and rhetoric as the means to building strong and persuasive documents and presentations. Students continue to practice the process of legal writing as they research, analyze, organize, write and revise litigation-related documents.

This course teaches you how to be a trial lawyer through actual preparation and presentation of all segments of a trial. Students will learn techniques of basic direct and cross-examinations, impeachment, handling exhibits and demonstrative evidence, jury selection, opening and closing statements, advanced direct and cross-examination, and examination of expert witnesses. 

This course introduces students to all aspects of security interests in personal property collateral, including creation, perfection, priorities (between competing security interests and between security interests and other property interest), and enforcement of security interests (including repossession/sale of collateral and distribution of sale proceeds). 

This course will cover the pretrial stages of a criminal case and the Constitution's impact on criminal procedure. Classes will focus upon criminal/constitutional issues with emphasis on the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments. Subjects covered will include searches and seizures, statements/confessions, due process, and line-ups.

The course will consider the principles of law and rules governing the admissibility of testimonial and documentary proof in civil and criminal trials, including the concept of relevancy, the use of demonstrative evidence, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, impeachment of credibility, expert testimony, and hearsay.

In this course we will examine the impact of the law on the formation and dissolution of intimate partner relationships and on parent-child relationships. Topics will include: cohabitation and prenuptial agreements; marriage, including the history of interracial and same-sex marriage; divorce, including collaborative divorces; child custody and support; spousal support; property division; jurisdictional issues; motions practice in family law cases; and domestic violence in intimate partner relationships.

The goals of the course are for the student to acquire: (1) a broad perspective as to the application and impact of the federal income tax in a variety of transactions; (2) practice in using the legal materials of taxation, especially the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations; and (3) an understanding of the policies underlying various IRC provisions, i.e., how the tax system is used to influence behavior and thus promote various social and economic policies.

This training seminar provides people with the opportunity to learn how to negotiate effectively and understand the theory and practice of mediation as a method of alternative dispute resolution. We will use simulations, small group exercises, and concept presentations based on realistic problems to provide an intensive, practice-oriented experience. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

This course focuses on the mediation of parenting, support, and property issues in divorce and post-decree cases. Simulations of family mediations will be the primary training tool. The classroom focus will be on analysis of the mediation process and psychological issues of parenting and divorce in the context of New Mexico's legal structure. 

This is a one credit course designed to teach students the basic rights of consumers in various forms of consumer transactions. The course focuses on money law, money management, and the regulation of consumer credit and credit reporting.

The National Moot Court Competition is held each March in conjunction with the Hispanic National Bar Association Annual Mid-Year Conference. This competition is co-sponsored by the Hispanic National Bar Foundation, the HNBA’s 501 (c)(3) sister organization. It provides law students with the opportunity to hone their brief writing and oral advocacy skills while exploring a complex legal issue.

The purpose of the NNALSA Moot Court Competition is to create opportunities to promote the objectives of the NNALSA Mission Statement, actively encourage the development of the oral advocacy and brief-writing skills of NNALSA members, as well as enhance substantive knowledge in the fields of federal Indian law, tribal law and traditional forms of governance.

This course surveys statutory and case law concerning federal lands, including undesignated Bureau of Land Management rangelands, National Forests, National Parks, and Monument Designations, while introducing students to environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act, conservation transactions, wildlife, the Endangered Species Act, oil and gas and coal leasing, and hard rock mining on federal lands. Students also are introduced to legal issues involving the management and protection of state lands, with particular emphasis on examples from New Mexico that supplement the text. We have presentations from natural resource practitioners and from those involved in legislative change.

Research, writing, and publication, as well as editing and processing materials for publication. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Research, writing, and publication, as well as editing and processing materials for publication. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

This course examines the power of the Indian tribes and the relationships among tribes, states, and the United States. Emphasis will be given to jurisdictional interfaces and conflicts among the three sovereignties.

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A course exploring a topic not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.

A student and full-time law school faculty member may agree to an individual research project for one, two, or three hours of credit. It is anticipated that the student will meet with the faculty member regularly during the completion of the project to review the work being done. A written product normally is expected, but its length and content shall be determined by the supervising faculty member. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Students enrolled in the Law of Indigenous Peoples class will be invited to join the Tribal Law Journal staff for the fall and spring semesters of their second and third years. Students will meet throughout the year to learn Bluebook citations, how to cite sources of traditional law, editing and source checking scholarly papers.

Advanced Constitutional Rights no longer has a pre-requisite fall semester. All students who have taken Constitutional Rights can enroll in Advanced Constitutional Rights. This course will delve into First Amendment, a topic so vast and complicated that an entire year can be easily consumed studying it. If time permits, the course will also review other topics..

This course will focus on the aspects of criminal procedure that are not covered in Criminal Procedure I. Using a problem-oriented approach, this class will cover topics such as: charging decisions, bail, preliminary hearings, grand jury proceedings, discovery, Brady issues, double jeopardy, joinder and severance, speedy trial, plea bargaining, effective assistance of counsel, sentencing, and habeas corpus. This class will also be open to first year students.

Land Use Law provides the law student with the background principles of land use law and acquaints the law student with federal, state and local statutes, ordinances and regulations which regulate land use. Students learn the appropriate legal source material for land use law. They are required to submit a written project which utilizes their course knowledge and research skills in the context of a local land use problem.

This course is limited to second year students who are selected through a writing competition. Coursework includes research, writing, proofing, and preparing materials for publication. Under editorial supervision, staff members are required to write a case note or comment of publishable quality in their first year on the NMLR. Concurrent enrollment in a Legal Research course is highly encouraged. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

The National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition is an annual inter-law school appellate moot court competition sponsored by Pace University School of Law.  The purpose of the competition is to develop expertise in environmental law appellate advocacy. Restriction 2L and 3L students only. Second and Third Year Course.

This course is limited to third year members of the NMLR and includes research, writing, proofing, preparing materials for publication, and the opportunity to be published. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Law Office Externs are law students who are placed under the supervision of a practicing lawyer to obtain knowledge and experience in the practice of law. While working with their supervising attorney, students have the opportunity to gain valuable practical skills in a real-world setting.  Prerequisite: Completion of first year curriculum. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

The Community Lawyering Clinic provides outreach legal services in partnership with local community service providers, including non-legal disciplines. MLAC law students represent children, caregivers, and families to address non-biological factors affecting children’s health. Students represent clients in Family Court, Children’s Court (juvenile delinquency), and other venues as necessary.

The Southwest Indian Law Clinic (SILC) provides high quality legal representation and clinical practice experience in Indian Country. SILC students may represent individual clients and/or tribal groups or Indian communities. 

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This course will be led by Professor Leo Romero or Professor Joshua Kastenberg. The professor will be assisted by four adjuncts--two adjuncts assigned to the course by the Bernalillo County Public Defender’s Office and by two assigned by the 13th Judicial District Attorney's Office. Pre-req.: Evidence, co-req.: Ethics Highly Recommended: Criminal Procedure I, Criminal Procedure II, Trial Practice, Evidence & Trial Practice

The Judicial Extern Program provides law students with a candid first hand experience in the judicial decision-making process. This is accomplished by placing students in a judge or justice's office for a specified number of hours each week to work directly with the judge in daily decision-making tasks. Prerequisite: Completion of first year curriculum.

This course studies the rules governing the professional conduct of lawyers and explores the values of the legal system which justify and explain those rules. Specific subject matter includes: the duties of competence, confidentiality, and loyalty; acquisition and retention of clients; and problems concerning the manner of representation.