Veronica Gonzales

Southwest Indian Law Clinic students Veronica C. Gonzales (’15) and Heidi Todacheene (’15) will represent their client and argue the case before the New Mexico Court of Appeals at 10:00 a.m. on March 18, 2015.

“The experience in preparing so far has been very positive due to the overwhelming amount of support we are receiving from the law school and the community,” says Gonzales. “With that support behind us, we are confident that we will be great advocates for our client.”

A collaborative case

The case, Myron G. Yepa v. State of New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Department, No. 33,101, is a result of collaboration and teamwork among a group of students and supervisors. SILC students have been providing high quality legal service on this case since 2007.

The above appeal resulted in a victory before the district court in Sandoval County on a constitutional ex post facto issue. The district court ordered that the driver’s license be reinstated under the applicable “old” law, and the state appealed.

Although Professor Barbara Creel took the case and formulated the legal action with students, JoEtta Toppah (’12) and Morgan Currey (’12), former students Christopher Vigil (‘13) and LeeAnne Kane (‘13) successfully argued the original petition in the district court.

Former SILC students Walker Boyd (‘14) and Santee Lewis (’14) helped preserve the issues and formulate the appellate argument to uphold the district court finding. Professor Christine Zuni Cruz, and Visiting Professors Javier Martinez and Andrea Seielstad, also helped shape the arguments and supervise students in advocating for their client at various stages.

Law students invited to attend oral argument

Law School students are invited to attend the oral argument presented by Veronica C. Gonzales (’15) and Heidi Todacheene (’15) at the New Mexico Court of Appeals, right next door to the UNM Law School.

“This is a rare opportunity to see access to justice in action and to observe the appellate process,” says SILC Director Creel, who supervises the students. “I encourage UNM law students, especially, to take advantage of this opportunity to hear their fellow students present an oral argument.”

The oral argument is scheduled to take place before the New Mexico Court of Appeals at 10:00 a.m. on March 18, 2015. It is open and UNM Law School students are invited to attend. The NM CTA satellite office is located at 2211 Tucker, NE 87106. https://coa.nmcourts.gov/clerksoffice/courtinfo.php

About SILC

In the Southwest Indian Law Clinic(SILC), student attorneys represent Native clients in state, federal, and tribal courts and in governmental agency hearings. Students also have the opportunity to work with tribes, pueblos, and organizations serving the Native American community.