2. 2
"The future does not belong to those
who are content with today,
apathetic toward common problems
and their fellow man alike, timid and
fearful in the face of bold projects
and new ideas. Rather, it will belong
to those who can blend passion,
reason and courage in a personal
commitment to the great enterprises
and ideals of American society."
Robert F. Kennedy
3. 3
“I want to thank you from the bottom of
my heart for helping us get through this
process. Your advice and counsel was
paramount to helping us make it through.”
4. 4
During the past year, nearly 1 out of every 4 New Mexicans had incomes too low
to meet basic needs for food, housing and medical care. Across the U.S., only
Mississippi had a higher poverty rate. For New Mexico, there are four key issues
in particular which continue to be among the root causes of this economic
disparity:
● Domestic violence continues to be a leading reason why New Mexico women,
especially those with small children, are nearly twice as likely to experience
long-term poverty as men.
● Safe and affordable housing continues to be beyond the reach of far too many
New Mexican working adults and families.
● Economic conditions linked to recurring unemployment and shrinking access
to full-time jobs have left many New Mexicans trapped in unmanageable
high-interest debt.
● Age, disability and other circumstances beyond an individual’s control can
leave New Mexicans who are unable to work with daunting challenges to qualify
for government health care and financial assistance programs, often requiring
months or years of hearings and paperwork before even basic help is available.
New Mexico Legal Aid during the past year has continued to achieve nationally
recognized success in providing high-quality legal assistance essential for thou-
sands of New Mexicans and their children to overcome these barriers. With New
Mexico Legal Aid’s help, many adults and families struggling to escape poverty
now have a fair chance at a brighter future.
In addition to our core services, we also are especially proud of our experienced
staff who lead NMLA’s specialty projects, including our Veterans Justice Project
based in Albuquerque. In addition, NMLA’s Native American Program is the
largest provider of civil legal services in New Mexico’s diverse Pueblos and trib-
al communities. Native American Program Managing Attorney Lisa Chavez was
named the 2014 national winner of the Pierce-Hickerson Award for outstanding
advocacy for Native American Rights.
Our statewide Foreclosure Defense Project, in partnership with the New Mexico
Attorney General’s Office, helps many financially struggling New Mexico
families hang on to their homes. Our Land & Water Rights Project helps protect
vital irrigation resources for small acequias villages throughout the state. Our
Migrant Farm Worker Program helps New Mexican agricultural workers enforce
their rights for fair wages and safe working conditions.
Last but not least, our statewide Volunteer Attorney Program, in collaboration
with the State Bar of New Mexico and the New Mexico Commission on Access
to Justice, supports hundreds of volunteer attorneys, paralegals and law students
who give many thousands of hours of free legal assistance to low-income clients
each year. These efforts have recently been recognized with a national Legal
Services Corporation “Pro Bono Innovations” grant that will help NMLA provide
enhanced technology systems and work with additional partner agencies includ-
ing the Southwest Women’s Law Center and the New Mexico Women’s Bar
Association to help even more volunteer attorneys meet these needs in the years
ahead.
We couldn’t do any of this without funders and individual donors like you whose
generous financial support make possible the services and successes described in
this report. Please visit our web site at www.newmexicolegalaid.org and “like”
our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/newmexicolegalaid to learn even more
about how you can partner with NMLA to help achieve life-changing solutions
for New Mexican friends, families and neighbors in need during the year ahead.
Thank you!
Maria Garcia Geer, Ed Marks,
NMLA Board Chair Executive Director
Advancing Fairness & Justice for All
5. 5
•Naava Koenigsberg
•Carlos Marentes
•Kim McGinnis, PhD, Esq.
•Bernard Metzgar, Esq.
•Mekko Miller, Esq.
•Judge John Pope
•Vernon Roanhorse, Esq.
•Paul Spruhan, Esq.
•Delilah Tenorio, Esq.
•Glenda Vick
•Juliette White
Former NMLA client and current Board Member Juliette White, pictured with Staff Attorney
Beatriz Ferreira, was invited to speak at the Legal Services Corporation’s 40th Anniversary
Conference in Washington, DC on September 16th to share her touching story of how NLMA
assisted with preventing a foreclosure on her family’s home.
• Maria Garcia Geer, Esq., Board Chair
• Stuart Bluestone, Esq., Vice Chair
• Paul Abrams, Esq., Treasurer
• David Hernandez, Esq., Secretary
• Joana Armann
• Cathrynn Novich Brown, Esq.
• Roxanna Chacón, Esq.
• Johnny Chavez
• Samuel Cordova
• JoHanna Cox, Esq.
• Kaydee Culbertson, Esq.
• John Feldman, Esq.
• Francesca Martinez-
Estevez, Esq.
• Fernando Garcia
• Elizabeth J. Gutierrez, Esq.
• Oma Jones
2014 Board of Directors
Client Board member, Glenda Vick
6. 6
8–9 10–13
Find out why we here at NMLA are
champions of legal aid in our communities
and beyond. Get to know us!
Check out some of our milestones and
accomplishments in 2014. We are happy
to be making a difference in New Mexico!
14–15
Meet some of our clients and read about
how they overcame their legal issues with
the help of NMLA.
7. 7
Connect with us on social media, find out
how to donate, or come by for a visit at any
of our ten locations throughout New Mexico.
Get deep into our numbers and check out
our client and case data, revenue and
expenses for 2014.
16–17 18–21
8. 8
Since opening our doors in 1953, New Mexico Legal Aid has
been dedicated to removing barriers to justice for
disenfranchised residents in all areas of New Mexico
through free assistance in 4 main practice areas, 7 special
projects and the Volunteer Attorney Program.
“The injustices faced by the poor and marginalized individuals and communities in our region are
tremendous, and the systemic structures that perpetuate the injustices are firmly entrenched. At
NMLA, staff can join their energy and commitment with those of co-workers, community allies, and
clients to confront injustices and work for transformation on individual, community, and structural
levels. Staff at the Las Cruces office believe that all human beings can be agents of change in their
lives, their families and their communities. We work in civil legal aid to support others in making that a
reality.” —Evangelina Mercado, Managing Attorney, Las Cruces
Our Mission
The mission of New Mexico Legal Aid, Inc.
(NMLA) is to be the voice, defender and
advocate for poor people who are seeking
justice in all forums, particularly in the
communities in which they live. NMLA is
committed to help poor people in their struggle
to access to food, shelter, security, and to
preserve their unique cultural heritages.
Our Vision
New Mexico Legal Aid is a civil legal advocacy
organization dedicated to opening the door to
equal access to justice for all disenfranchised
and low-income people and communities
throughout New Mexico by providing outreach,
training, education, and quality representation.
Our Locations
New Mexico Legal Aid has ten offices
statewide, serving all residents of the state who
fall within the federal poverty guidelines.
1. Family Law
2. Housing Law
3. Consumer Rights
4. Public Benefits
Champions of
Legal Aid
• Veterans Justice
• Native American
• Foreclosure Defense
• Migrant Worker
• Victims of Domestic Violence
• Rural Advocacy
• Land & Water Rights
/
9. 9
“The Albuquerque office provides representation to clients
living in the most populated area of the state which
includes Bernalillo, Sandoval, Socorro, Torrance and
Valencia Counties. The office is divided into 5 practice
units: Domestic Law; Housing and Consumer; Public
Benefits; Veterans Justice Project and Foreclosure
Law. The dedication, hard work and collaboration be-
tween staff members in this office results in more than
1100 clients receiving direct help annually. We also
provide outreach to the community in the form of clin-
ics, training and attendance at public events.”
—Shelbie Allen, Managing
Attorney, Albuquerque “My motivation to do this work came from a very obvious injustice in the federal laws I
read in my father’s law books. As an adopted Indian child who grew up in the upper
middle class of America, I had NO idea of the reality faced by Native Americans, until I
started reading laws and congressional reports. I decided to go to law school so I
could help. My goal was to specifically represent individuals. I’ve been here nearly 16
years doing just that. I have learned that sometimes we are their last hope and our
assistance is amazingly helpful to them. We are thanked with blessings and courage
and as far as I’m concerned as long as I can help, I will!”
—Terrill Muller, Staff Attorney, Santa Ana
“Since May, I have been managing the three northern offices (Santa
Fe, Las Vegas and Taos), and we have been working together to
staff cases, handle emergencies and cover for one another in the
1st, 4th and 8th Judicial Districts. We have also been expanding our
rural outreach. Each staff member is responsible for outreach in a
different part of our geographical coverage area.”
—Amy Propps, Managing Attorney
10. Our Year
1
2
3
Case Work
In 2014, New Mexico Legal Aid handled 4,470
cases, half of them involving Family Law. A total
of 13,015 New Mexicans were affected by legal
assistance, 7,177 of them adults and 5,494
children. With the help of NMLA attorneys, clients
avoided liabilities of $342,746 and achieved a
total financial benefit of $470,977.
Team Members
We said goodbye and thanks to some
teammates, and hello to some new ones, but are
always excited to get to work and help out
whomever we can!
Donated Time
2014 saw an increase in free legal fairs and
clinics, educational workshops, outreach events
and attendance by not only our own attorneys,
but private attorneys as well. 115 volunteer
attorneys handled 280 cases and closed 161.
/
Top: Legal Secretary for the Volunteer Attorney
Program Felipe Quintana helps out at a legal clinic.
Bottom: Our Santa Fe team.
11. 6
5
4 Awards
Native American Program Managing Attorney
Lisa Chavez was honored by the National Legal
Aid and Defender Association in Arlington, VA as
the 2014 recipient of the Pierce-Hickerson Award
for outstanding contributions to the advancement
or preservation of Native American rights.
Feat for Justice
Albuquerque Attorney Matt Vance and friend,
Scientist Pawel Listwan, hiked the Grand
Canyon, rim to rim to rim for 48 miles in just over
22 hours, raising money for the Veterans Justice
Project. They both received expressions of
gratitude at our December Board meeting, then
immediately started planning for a 2015 Feat!
Education
Volunteer Attorney Program Director Paul Haidle
and Statewide Pro Bono Coordinator Aja Brooks
represented the VAP at the State Bar Annual
Meeting on July 28th at the Tamaya Resort in
Bernalillo.
Top: Paul Haidle and Aja Brooks joined by State Bar President Erika
Anderson and past President of the American Bar Association and current
Legal Services Corporation National Board Member Robert Grey
Bottom: Managing Attorney Lisa Chavez in Arlington accepting the Pierce-
Hickerson Award at the National Legal Aid and Defender Association.
12. 12
“The Gallup office serves West Central New Mexico, primarily McKinley and Cibola
Counties, including the Zuni Pueblo and eastern portions of the Navajo Nation. Over
70% of our clients are Native American. Many come from rural areas to Gallup for
work, shopping, healthcare, recreation, and sometimes our Legal Aid services. I think
the different cultures, the strengths of the traditions of the people, their creativity, the
rich area history, and the incredible beauty of this part of New Mexico make our
communities and people special, and make working here continually interesting.”
—Joel Jasperse, Managing Attorney, Gallup.
Shown here: Lucy Becenti, Gallup Secretary with Chief Manuelito
On April 17th, the Volunteer Attorney Program recognized its Volunteers of the
Year at a reception hosted by the Second Judicial District Pro Bono Committee.
From left to right: Kate Worthington, Fred C. Martinez, Erin Olson and Cheryl Hill.
Hanging out with Silver City: What are some highlights from 2014?
“[We] participated in legal fairs in both Deming and Silver City during
pro bono month, and have already signed up to assist with the 2015
fairs! These fairs provide a direct insight into the most urgent legal
needs of two communities in our service area, and help us identify
gaps in outreach based on case types we are not seeing in our
office.”
—Cassandra Brulotte, Managing Attorney
13. Page 13
Hanging out with Roswell:
What are the legal needs like in Roswell?
“Most clients live outside the office area and they have
poor transportation available to them.” Case types
involve “Immigration, farmworker (ranchero)/employment
issues, custody and family law issues, domestic violence,
unemployment and housing. At present, we are under-
staffed, but our team deals with the demands the best we
can by reaching out to other attorneys within our
organization which helps alleviate the burden.”
—Rafaela Herrera-Solórzano, Managing Attorney
Hanging out with Las Cruces:
How does your team work together for the
achievement of our clients?
This office believes in teamwork. Each person in this
office is always willing to assist or provide guidance on a
case, even if it is not a case they normally handle. We
communicate well with each other and know that if we
ask for help, we will get it. Attorneys are able to devote
more time to their work, thanks to our paralegals and
support staff.”
—Evangelina Mercado, Managing Attorney
Left to right: Martin Lopez, Staff Attorney in Las Vegas retired after working at NMLA for almost a decade.
Albuquerque Staff Attorney Alicia Clark helps out at a free legal clinic.
Staff Attorney Jane Zhi and Legal Secretary Kathi Vance at an Albuquerque outreach event.
14. Due to being diagnosed with a severe disability,
Richard lost his job and accidentally defaulted on the
loan for his vehicle. When he submitted an insurance
claim due to disability, he was rejected. New Mexico
Legal Aid stepped in and determined that unfair
practices had been employed by denying Richard his
claim. Richard was ultimately cleared of his debts and
his credit report returned to a clean state.
Meet Magda, who after suffering much abuse
through two decades of marriage came to
New Mexico Legal Aid for assistance with
divorce. Her husband fought her for years,
vying for full custody of their children so he
could dodge paying child support. Magda
was left exhausted, without finances and
homeless. Through NMLA exposing the
many discrepancies in his stories and his
unfair treatment of Magda and the children,
she was able to obtain custody of her chil-
dren and a partner agency built them a
much-deserved new home.
“[NMLA] showed they care for the people.
We are very thankful for your services…words
cannot express how we really feel.”
*Names and pictures have been changed to protect client privacy.
15. 15
Helping Those
in Need /
Throughout all ten offices, 4,922 cases were
worked on, benefitting almost 13,000 New
Mexicans, including 5,594 children.
Adam suddenly became concerned one day when his daughter
turned up with large quantities of illegal drugs in her system after a
visit with her mother. He contacted New Mexico Legal Aid for help,
at which time it was found the mother was not only responsible for
the girl’s exposure to drugs, she was also stealing the child’s
benefits for herself. With the help of his NMLA attorney, Adam was
able to gain full custody of his daughter and her benefits were
transferred to him so the girl could receive the help she needed.
Santiago, a single father of three children and a Veteran, was
given a notice of eviction for missing rent payments due to
recovering from a major surgery and having to stay out of
work. He had applied to be late on his payments, but his
landlord did not approve it in time. After representing himself
and being ordered to leave his home, Santiago came to NMLA.
Our attorneys obtained that late payment approval for him and
he was able to make his missed payments over time and he
and his children were allowed to stay in their home.
Over 51% of cases involve children living in a home with an
income of under $25,000 annually. Family Law cases
account for almost half of all cases in a given year.
16. 16
2014 Data,
Top 10 Case Types
White Black
Hispanic Native American
Asian, Pacific Other
Multi-Racial
Ethnicity of
Clients
0 1000 2000 3000 4000
Female Male
Gender of
Clients
17. 17
19%
81%
Salaries and Benefits: $4,924,050
Non-Personnel Expenses: $1,125,938
24%
24%
52%
Legal Services Corporation: $3,176,639
Civil Legal Services Commission: $1,437,327
Other Grants, Contracts, Contributions, etc.: $1,437,327
As a nonprofit law firm that provides legal assistance at no cost to our clients, we
are grateful for all the grants and contributions that make our work possible. We
are thankful to have forged such strong partnerships with these agencies, who
provide this vitally needed support.
• Legal Services Corporation
• New Mexico Civil Legal
Services Commission
• New Mexico Children, Youth
and Families Department
• New Mexico Crime Reparation
Commission
• Supreme Court of New Mexico
Consolidated Civil Legal
Services Fund
• United Way of Central New
Mexico
• Equal Access to Justice
Campaign
• Native American Rights Fund
• United Way of Grant County
• City of Las Cruces
• New Mexico Commission for the
Blind
• Acequias Norteñas
• New Mexico Acequia
Association
• New Mexico Attorney General’s
Office
• New Mexico Land Grant Council
• Sandia Foundation
• McCune Charitable Foundation
• New Mexico Veterans
Integration Centers
• U.S. Department of Labor Face
Forward Program in partnership
with Pegasus Legal Services for
Children
• Notre Dame University
Expenses & Revenue /
18. 18
“I see that they [NMLA] work
for the people. They were
really helpful to me and for
me. Thank God we, the
low-income, have people that
fight for us at Legal Aid.
Thank you all so much.”
19. 19
If you would like to donate to New
Mexico Legal Aid and be a part of
providing much needed aid to New
Mexicans, please visit our website
at newmexicolegalaid.org and feel
free to stop by any one of our ten
offices!
@NewMexicoLegalAid
@NMLegalAid1
contact@nmlegalaid.org
21. 21
Las Cruces
600 E. Montana, Ste. D
Las Cruces, NM 88001-4246
(575) 541-4800 Office
1-866-515-7667 Toll Free
(575) 541-3218 Fax
Las Vegas
932 Gallinas St., Ste. 109
P.O. Box 1454
Las Vegas, NM 87701
(505) 425-3514 Office
1-866-416-1932 Toll Free
(505) 718-3026 Fax
Roswell
200 E. Fourth St., Ste. 200
P.O. Box 1087
Roswell, NM 88202-1087
(575) 623-9669 Office
1-866-416-1920 Toll Free
(575) 208-1660 Fax
Native American Program:
Santa Ana
51 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Ste.102
Santa Ana Pueblo, NM 87004
P.O. Box 817
Bernalillo, NM 87004
(505) 867-3391 Office
1-866-505-2371 Toll Free
(505) 552-3004 Fax
Santa Fe
901 W. Alameda, Ste. 20B (87501)
P.O. Box 32197
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 982-9886 Office
1-866-416-1934 Toll Free
(505) 216-2997 Fax
Silver City
301 W. College Ave., Ste. 17
Silver City, NM 88061
(575) 388-0091 Office
1-866-224-5097 Toll Free
(575) 956-9144 Fax
Taos
214C Kit Carson Rd.
Taos, NM 87571
(575) 758-2218 Office
1-800-294-1823 Toll Free
(575) 613-1368 Fax
Volunteer Attorney Program
5121 Masthead NE 87109
P.O. Box 92860
Albuquerque, NM 87199-2860
(505) 797-6000 Office
1-877-266-9861 Toll Free
(505) 933-6033 Fax
22. New Mexico Legal Aid, Inc.
301 Gold Ave. SW Albuquerque, NM 87102
1-866-416-1922
www.newmexicolegalaid.org
Thank You for a wonderful year and
your continuous support of
New Mexico Legal Aid!
Design and editing by: Miranda Fafard
