A Message from State Bar President Carla Martinez

Dear Members of the State Bar of New Mexico,

I am deeply saddened by the passing of former Dean and Professor Fred Hart, a beloved member of our legal community. Professor Hart personally touched my life with his engaging classes in commercial law. He welcomed me and many others into the law school community and provided a calming presence in an otherwise stressful environment. I am humbled reading of Professor Hart’s dedication to his family and the legal community, including his commitment to diversity and creating opportunities for those typically underrepresented. Although there are generations of lawyers to come who will never know how wonderful Professor Hart was, they will feel his presence in the foundational work and opportunities he created in our legal community.

In early July, New Mexico residents enjoyed the removal of remaining pandemic occupancy restrictions on commercial and day-to-day activities. As such, the State Bar Center fully reopened for its members to use. Staff are planning for inperson events, meetings and seminars including the first in-person CLE in September. Even though we are excited to be fully opened, State Bar staff also intend to plan virtual programming to help optimize membership participation.

As a reminder, we will be having our 2021 Annual Meeting and Member Appreciation Event on October 8. The event will be free to all State Bar members and will give you an opportunity to earn 5 CLE credits, including 1 ethics credit. The event will be live streamed, but there will also be a limited number of in-person tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. The in-person events will be held at the State Bar Center.

The 2021 Annual Meeting and Member Appreciation Event will begin with opening remarks from New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Vigil and American Bar Association President Reggie Turner. The CLE programming will include an update on the Commission on Equity and Justice from New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Shannon Bacon and Torri Jacobus, Managing Director of the City of Albuquerque’s Office of Civil Rights. Additionally, University of New Mexico Assistant Professor of Law Verónica C. Gonzales-Zamora will lead a discussion on access to justice with an opportunity to continue the discussion with two breakout CLEs planned for fall 2021 and early 2022. Another CLE will include tips on incorporating family-friendly policies into your law practice. The CLE will be led by Julianna Silva from the local nonprofit Family Friendly New Mexico.

Moreover, a transformative conversation about mindfulness will be led by Cory Muscara. Cory is a former monk, mindfulness advisor for the Dr. Oz show and bestselling author of Stop Missing Your Life. Copies of Cory’s book Stop Missing Your Life will be distributed to the first 400 online registrants and all in-person attendees. In addition to Cory’s discussion on mindfulness, Michelle DuVal of the Mindfulness Center will guide attendees through a meditation session. Lastly, we will honor the 2021 Annual Award recipients throughout the day. Visit www.sbnm.org/annualmeeting for more information and registration.

I hope that you and your loved ones are experiencing some sense of normalcy and enjoying a safe summer with family and friends. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your State Bar Commissioners, State Bar staff or myself if you need any assistance.

Warm regards,

Carla C. Martinez President, State Bar of New Mexico