"Perhaps one of the most significant things that the Law School has done to support its community members' well-being, is to expressly integrate the concept of well-being into the Law School's scholarship and curricula. For example, Prof. Nathalie Martin has authored a book titled 'Lawyering from the Inside Out: Learning Professional Development Through Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence'. Prof. Martin submits that through mindfulness and emotional intelligence training, lawyers can improve their focus, productivity, interpersonal skills and, ultimately, their enjoyment of the practice of law," writes adjunct professor and alum William D. Slease ('91) in a recent State Bar of New Mexico Bar Bulletin article about the importance of well-being to the UNM School of Law.

On May 13 & 14, the Class of 2022 celebrated the completion of their law school studies. The convocation marks the first year since the pandemic began that a full celebration was possible.

The celebrations kicked off on May 13, with the Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) and Tribal Law Journal graduation. The ceremony began with an opening prayer from Joseph "Brophy" Toledo (Jemez Pueblo and Pecos Pueblo) with Professor and alumnus Sam Winder ('88) as the featured speaker. Graduates were presented with beautiful woven blankets donated by several members of the community, and the winners of Bar prep scholarships from the Indian Law Section of the NM State Bar were announced.

The festivities continued Friday afternoon with the Honors and Awards ceremony. Students were recognized for academic achievement and contributions to the Law School community. The Student Bar Association continued the tradition of the tongue in cheek Woody Awards that recognized students for things such as the "I'd rather be fishing" award and faculty for the "ice cold caller" award.

The celebrations culminated with convocation on Saturday afternoon. Alumna Judge Linda Vanzi ('95) was the featured speaker and shared words of wisdom and inspiration with the graduates and other attendees. Family and friends cheered their graduates on as they walked across the grassy knoll to be hooded by their professors.

Congratulations, Class of 2022! We can't wait to see the impact you will have on the legal and greater community!

Damian Shapes Padilla has accepted a position as a Justice Fellow at the Georgetown Climate Center (GCC) in Washington D.C., one of the nation’s leading sources in providing practical strategies to respond and prepare for the impacts of climate change. As a Justice Fellow, Shapes will work with the staff in research, writing, and legal analysis related to GCC’s federal, state, and local resilience work. Shapes hopes to work in public interest and advocacy, as well as in natural resources and environmental law. The GCC Justice Fellowship provides a great introduction to working in these areas, and he's thankful for this opportunity.

Congratulations to Tracy Canard Goodluck ('14), who was recently appointed by President Biden to the position of Senior Advisor, Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs. Goodluck is a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and also Mvskoke Creek. She most recently completed details at the White House’s Domestic Policy Council and Council on Native American Affairs. Previously, Tracy served as deputy director of the Interior Department’s Indian Water Rights Office. She is a former classroom teacher, school administrator and

UNM School of Law is grateful to Burck and Sandra Bailey for their generous contributions to the Law School community. Burck Bailey passed on a few months ago, but the impact and generosity he shared with the Law School remains. 

The Baileys both shared a deep love for their adopted state of New Mexico. Burck worked as a prominent trial attorney in Oklahoma and sought to make a tribute to his profession in a way that would help as many people as possible. With their establishment of a scholarship fund and a planned gift to the UNM School of Law, the Baileys illustrated how the generosity and dedication of two people can impact many lives. The Burck and Sandra Bailey Scholarship in Law is designed to give individuals from Native American, African American, and Latin American communities financial assistance to attend the state’s only law school. “The UNM School of Law has an opportunity to make a difference in these New Mexico populations,” said Burck. In turn, these recipients “have the capacity to bring so much to this state,” he added. The need-based scholarship is awarded once every three years, with the first recipients of the Baileys’ scholarship graduating in 2016. “Both of us come from families that had hardly any money, but they always shared. We hope our example encourages others to be generous with their support. That would be an ideal consequence,” added Sandra Bailey.

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