Albuquerque, NM – The winter issue of preLaw magazine lists the University of New Mexico School of Law number one for Public Defenders/Prosecutors.

Curriculum at the UNM Law School features over 100 classes beneficial to a public interest practice, and many of them are experiential. “While the vast majority of our graduates choose to serve in New Mexico, the innovative curriculum at the UNM Law School makes our graduates competitive for criminal law positions around the country,” said Assistant Dean for Student & Career Services Heather Harrigan. “For example, unlike at most other law schools where students are taught the rules of evidence without practical context, UNM law students have the opportunity to learn evidence through realistic application in the Evidence and Trial Practice course, where lectures and class discussions are combined with practice sessions, culminating in students participating in a mock jury trial.”

Professor and Dean Emeritus Leo M. Romero who has served the state of New Mexico for decades in the areas of criminal law, judicial selection, and most recently, bail reform teaches the Criminal Law in Practice course, in which students are assigned to either the Law Office of the New Mexico Public Defender or the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Each student has a supervisor, works on real cases, and can appear in court under the Student Practice Rule.

“This course, like our required clinic and externships, provides students with practical experience that bridges the classroom and the courtroom, and it helps them develop the skills essential in dealing with clients, witnesses, opposing counsel, and judges,” said Romero. He added that the Public Defender and District Attorney offices also benefit. This course can serve as a breeding ground for new hires, resulting in many of our graduates being hired into these public service positions.

The UNM Law School’s partners in the public sector of the legal community help foster the passion and professional development of law students through externship supervision, hands-on mentorship, fellowship funding, scholarships, and by training them directly in the classroom as members of the law school’s adjunct faculty. 

The study is based on employment (50 percent); curriculum (40 percent) and financial (10 percent).  Financial is based on: public salary (40 percent); debt (40 percent); and a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (20 percent).

Of the UNM Law School Class of 2015, 46.8 percent were employed in the public sector—over 20 percent higher than the national rate of 26.4 percent. The new ranking speaks to the UNM Law School’s commitment to its mission, which is to educate and train students to become excellent lawyers who will enrich and serve local, state, tribal, national and international communities after graduation.

About the UNM School of Law

The University of New Mexico School of Law offers the Juris Doctor program and certificates in Indian Law and in Natural Resources and Environmental Law. New Mexico’s only law school offers a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, is ranked as a best value law school, and rated as one of the most popular and most diverse law schools in the country. The UNM Law School is a member of the Association of American Law Schools and is approved by the American Bar Association.

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