

UNM Clinical Law School students were sworn-in on Jan. 17 to practice misdemeanor criminal cases under the supervision of licensed attorneys in the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.
The collaboration between the Court, the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the UNM School of Law had been on hold since the pandemic. Two supervising attorneys from the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office, who now also serve as professors for the class, helped in reviving the program.
“We are excited that the UNM School of Law brought this program back. This is an opportunity for law school students to get hands-on experience in a courtroom, prosecuting DWI and Domestic Violence cases. It’s beneficial not only to students but also to the community,” said Adjunct Law Professor and Supervising Attorney of the Metro Division Elizabeth Bates with the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
As the program again gets underway, the law school students will be practicing subject to Rule 5-110 in two of the court’s Criminal Division courtrooms throughout the spring semester.
“I remember the invaluable experience of participating in the clinic myself years ago as a UNM Law School student and having the opportunity to work through cases instead of just reading how it may play out. It better prepared me and so many others for practicing in a detail-oriented and often times demanding profession. We are pleased to see the return of this program,” said Chief Judge of the Metropolitan Court Joshua J. Sánchez.