It has been 60 years since the first class of UNM School of Law students graduated. To celebrate, the school is creating a colorful book recognizing 60 special people, accomplishments or legislation, named 60 for 60.
“It’s more than just a book,” School of Law archivist David Myers said. “It’s important because the UNM law school has played a significant role in the state of New Mexico. Legal, judicial, political, public policy — all those kinds of things UNM law school graduates and faculty have been heavily involved in.”
Nominations for the 60 for 60 book will be accepted until April 1. They can include people, historic laws, events, legal cases or civic solutions, according to the law school’s Web site.
Minerva Cook, a 2007 School of Law graduate, said the school prepared her for a successful career in the law profession by giving her real-world experience.
“A lot of law schools are academic, in that they get you to think and never really make you use your practical skills — how to write a letter or actually conduct yourself in front of a courtroom,” she said. “Then your first day on the job you panic because you don’t really know how to be a lawyer.”
Cook said one big accomplishment for the School of Law is the clinical practice, which is mandatory for all students. This program allows students to gain real-world experience by defending actual clients in need of legal help, Cook said, and would be a great addition to 60 for 60.
Cook has worked at Butt, Thornton, and Baehr PC, Attorneys at Law for two years.
Kevin Washburn, School of Law dean, said the clinical program is up for nomination to be in 60 for 60.
“We pioneered clinical education and still do it as well or better than most schools,” he said. “We’ve had a clinic for about 40 years. Students are actually practicing law — it’s not the traditional classroom setting at all.”
Washburn said the School of Law doesn’t get the recognition it deserves in the community.
“This school doesn’t do a very good job of highlighting itself or patting itself on the back,” he said.
Washburn said students, alumni, faculty and community members are encouraged to make nominations. To make a nomination, visit the School of Law’s Web site and click on “60 for 60” in the upper left corner.
Myers has already received about five submissions. All submissions will be reviewed by an objective panel that is selected by Washburn The book will be released early next fall, Myers said, accompanied by a celebration at the School of Law.
Washburn said the price of the book is yet to be determined.
Barbara Bergman, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the School of Law, said she has taught at the UNM School of Law since 1987. She has seen 22 classes of UNM law school students graduate.
“It’s sort of bittersweet,” she said. “It’s always a pleasure to see them succeeding and going off and knowing that some of them are going to be doing some amazing things, and it’s a little sad because you’re going to miss them.”
Bergman said she will probably submit a nomination, but still has to think about what it will entail.
“I think it’s just a wonderful idea to sort of step back and take a look at what the graduates of our law school have accomplished in the last 60 years,” she said. “We’ve never really done that.”
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Nominations should be between 250 and 500 words, said Myers, and can be submitted on the UNM School of Law Web site.
*Deadline for nominations: April 1
For questions, contact David Myers at 505-6796
Submit nominations to lawschool.unm.edu/60for60*
