New Mexico

Kevin S. Settlement Agreement Involving New Mexico Child Welfare and Includes ICWA

Kate Fort

Here

Indian Child Welfare Act
  • A State ICWA law that mirrors and expands upon the federal version and that will be drafted with the Administrative Office of the Courts and with New Mexico Tribes and Pueblos
  • Processes and procedures to promote traditional interventions as first-line interventions and services, developed with the input of New Mexico’s Tribes and Pueblos
  • Federal funding for traditional and culturally responsive treatments, interventions, and supports, including non-medicalized interventions
  • A plan to increase recruitment and retention of Native resource families
  • A policy to provide or ensure provision of direct assistance for traditional ceremonies, including arranging for all preparation and providing payment if needed, if Native Children want to participate

New Mexico Supreme Court Upholds Tribal Sovereignty

Neoshia Roemer

In Mendoza v. Isleta Resort and Casino, the New Mexico Supreme Court heard the case of a party who wished to circumvent tribal procedures for a worker’s compensation claim. Ultimately, the New Mexico Supreme Court’s holding is a big win for tribal sovereignty, as it requires an express waiver of sovereignty before permitting a state action to commence over a dispute arising on tribal property. Read more here and listen to the oral arguments here.

Briefs:

Mendoza Opening Brief

Tribe Brief

Mendoza Answer Brief

Tribe Reply

Mendoza Sur-Reply

Tribe Sur-Sur-Reply

Register Today for Pre-Law Advisor Training

Monica Williamson

Please share widely! Registration fee waivers and travel reimbursements are available for Tribal Education Departments,  Tribal Colleges and Universities.

Pathways to the Legal Profession:  Identifying, Advising, and Supporting Native American Pre-Law Students

February 4-5, 2020

Isleta Resort and Casino, Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico

The Pathways to the Legal Profession conference aims to increase the number of competitive Native law school applicants nationwide by providing mentors necessary skills and resources to identify, advise, and support the next generation of Indigenous attorneys.

Registration, hotel information and additional information about the agenda can be found here. Please register by January 24, 2020.

Please note that this conference is designed for advisors.  If you are interested in becoming a law student, learn about the Native American Pipeline to Law Initiative.

 

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You are welcome to contact Rodina Cave Parnall at 505-277-5462 with any questions.

AMERICAN INDIAN LAW CENTER, INC.
Website:  ailc-inc.org

 

University of New Mexico in Search of a Visiting Professor for the Southwest Indian Law Clinic

Neoshia Roemer

The University of New Mexico School of Law recently announced that it is in search of a Visiting Professor to teach in its Southwest Indian Law Clinic during the Fall 2019 semester. Applications close on July 12, 2019. Please see more details, including how to apply, here.

Update: Tribal Law Journal 20th Anniversary Symposium

Neoshia Roemer

The Tribal Law Journal is hosting its 20th Anniversary Symposium on Honoring Indigenous Dispute Resolution. Speakers include Rep. Deb Haaland and the Honorable Robert Yazzie. There will also be a screening of Tribal Justice, with film panelists the Honorable Abby Abinanti and the Hoborable Claudette White. This program has been approved for 3.0 general and 1.0 ethics CLE credits.

 

The Symposium will be held at the University of New Mexico School of Law on March 29, 2019. Please see the announcement for more details.

Pathways to the Legal Profession: Pre-Law Advisor Training Conference

Monica Williamson

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Learn more and register here.

About the Conference

The Pathways to the Legal Profession Conference aims to increase the number of competitive Native law school applicants nationwide. Recent scholarship by the American Bar Association and others establishes that Native Americans are disproportionately underrepresented in the legal profession. We encourage advisors, educators, and school administrators to attend this training to help identify, advise, and support the next generation of indigenous attorneys.

Advisors

Advisors with an array of titles and responsibilities are encouraged to attend.  This includes community members such as teachers and youth mentors, as well as those who specifically advise American Indian and Alaska Native students interested in applying to law school.

Travel

Lodging and travel reimbursements are available for Tribal Education Departments and Tribal Colleges and Universities.

Update: New Mexico Annual Indian Law Section CLE (DATE CHANGED!)

Neoshia Roemer

The Indian Law Section of the New Mexico State Bar is hosting its annual CLE on Monday, December 10 from 9am to 12:15pm. The Indian Law Section’s annual program will focus on topics that will help the Indian law practitioner on a daily basis. This program will include updates on legal developments in 2018, covering case law, statutes, regulations and executive actions. The program will also include a presentation on effective legal writing strategies and tips and cover legal ethics involved in practicing Indian law. To register, please click here.