Nick Estes is leaving the big office with a view.
He has been packing his things to move two doors down the hall of the University Counsel Office.
Estes stepped down from his position as University counsel today.
"I've been planning to retire for a long time," he said.
Estes held the position since 1986 and became eligible for retirement three months ago.
He said he wanted time to prepare for getting a master's in political science, be more involved in the election, and dedicate more time to the Explora Science Center and Children's Museum.
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President Louis Caldera appointed Robert Bienstock as acting University counsel until a search produces someone to fill the position.
"He has exposure to the legal issues colleges face," Estes said. "He's in an ideal position to take over."
Beinstock has been a lawyer in the University Counsel Office since 1988.
Estes will continue to work in the office until spring 2005.
"He will be advising me with handling the management and when I have questions," Beinstock said. "I will be looking to him for wisdom and guidance."
Caldera thanked Estes for his service at the Board of Regents meeting Tuesday.
Regent Mel Eaves, also a lawyer, said Estes has an outstanding reputation in the legal community.
"I have the utmost respect for him," Eaves said at the meeting. "He's done an outstanding job, and I'm grateful."
Estes said he is proud to have built a positive legal team with 10 staff members, during his time at UNM.
The existence of the dispute resolution program is due partly to Estes' involvement in its beginning stages. The mediation program for supervisors and employees has a full-time staff in the Human Resources Department.
His team has also taken conflict of interest policies to the Board of Regents and gotten research and health care to comply with federal regulations.
He said he values the work he has done training people and getting the University in compliance.
"We have a strong legal office with a climate of respect for people," he said. "We have a set of policies and procedures that reflect that kind of attitude."
Estes said the office tries not to be a roadblock and instead help people at the University achieve their goals.
"I have been devoted to what professors and students do," he said. "I have been privileged to spend time supporting that mission because I really believe in it."
Beinstock said he will continue the work Estes has been doing.
"I'll do my best to keep this office moving," he said.
The University counsel position serves as the chief lawyer at the University and receives reports from all other UNM lawyers.
