School of Law Hires New Director of Career Services
September 23, 2025
Melanie Fritzsche joins the School of Law as the new Director of Career Services, assuming the role following the retirement of Bonnie Stepleton.
Fritzsche grew up in Albuquerque and is from Laguna Pueblo. She brings to the position experience in non-profits, private practice, and government. Prior to her position as Director of Student and Career Services, she was a Senior Program Manager for the non-profit Center for Justice Innovation’s Tribal Justice Exchange (TJE) where she worked with Tribes to enhance their justice systems. At TJE, she was a member of the Tribal risk-need-responsivity tool project and helped develop a tribal youth leadership program. Fritzsche’s also worked at the American Indian Law Center and New Mexico Legal Aid. She has experience in private practice as an associate attorney and contract attorney for various law firms. Early in her career, she was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New Mexico and an Attorney-Advisor for the Solicitor’s Office, Department of the Interior.
Fritzsche earned a B.A. in History/Government from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado, and a J.D. from the UNM School of Law in 1996 with a Certificate in Indian Law and a Certificate in Natural Resources. During law school, she was a teaching assistant for the 1L advocacy class, served as a staff member for the Natural Resources Journal, and was a judicial law clerk for the New Mexico Court of Appeals.
“I am honored to have been selected as Director of Student and Career Services at the University of New Mexico School of Law. As a graduate of UNM School of Law, I am excited to have the opportunity to support students, staff, and faculty. I enjoy working with students in exploring career paths. The Student and Career Services team is very knowledgeable and care about students and the legal profession. I’m thrilled to join such a fantastic team,” shared Fritzsche.
