University of New Mexico School of Law

What University of New Mexico School of Law does

The University of New Mexico School of Law is a public law school established in 1947 as a component of The University of New Mexico, a state public research university in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It offers the Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degrees, with concentrations in Indian Law, Natural Resources & Environmental Law, International Law, Clinical Legal Education, and Child & Family Justice. The school operates three student-edited journals — the Tribal Law Journal (est. 1998), the Natural Resources Journal (50+ years of publication), and the New Mexico Law Review — alongside multiple centers and institutes including the American Indian Law Center, the Corinne Wolfe Center for Child & Family Justice, the Utton Transboundary Resources Center, and Wild Friends. Specialized programs include the Semester in DC (up to 6 students per cohort), the Madrid Summer Law Institute, and the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project.

Revenue derives primarily from tuition and fees for JD and MSL programs, supplemented by Continuing Legal Education offerings (Depositions Training, Mediation Training) and tax-deductible donations supporting scholarships, clinics, and the Marshall-Brennan Project. As a state institution within the UNM system, operations are supported by state appropriations, tuition, and philanthropic giving; the school is ABA-accredited and holds a 1971 Order of the Coif chapter. The go-to-market motion is event-driven, relying on campus visits, on-road information sessions, national rankings (U.S. News, preLaw Magazine, Princeton Review), and social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube) to recruit prospective students.

The school maintains a notably low 5.1-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and is consistently ranked in niche categories: A+ for Environmental Law (preLaw 2025), #14 for Clinical Training (U.S. News 2024), #3 for Native Americans (preLaw 2024), #11 for Most Grads in Federal Clerkships (U.S. News 2025), #22 for Public Interest Law (U.S. News 2025), and #3 Most Chosen By Older Students (Princeton Review 2024). It pioneered Indian Law education in 1967 and was instrumental in making New Mexico the first state to include Indian Law on the bar exam.

Name

University of New Mexico School of Law

Legal name

The University of New Mexico School of Law

Website

http://lawschool.unm.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The University of New Mexico School of Law is a public law school in Albuquerque offering JD and MSL degrees with nationally ranked specializations in Indian Law, Environmental Law, and Clinical Training, serving prospective students, Native American law students, and the New Mexico legal community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAIAA

ABA-Accredited JD-Granting Law Schools

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Law Schools

SECONDARYEDAHAIAH

Law School Continuing Legal Education (CLE) & Executive Programs

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Law Schools

SECONDARYEDAAALAB

Legal & Compliance (CLE, Paralegal CE)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Licensure & Continuing Professional Education (CE/CPE)

SECONDARYEDAGABAH

Law & Legal Studies

Education/Educational Publishing & Learning Content/Higher Education Textbooks & Courseware

SECONDARYEDAHAIAE

Online / Hybrid Law Schools & Programs

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Law Schools

Keywords

• Legal education
• Law degree programs
• Indian law studies
• Environmental law program
• Continuing legal education

Headquarters

HQ city

Albuquerque

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from tuition and fees for JD and MSL degree programs
2. Continuing Legal Education (CLE): Revenue from CLE programs including Depositions Training and Mediation Training
3. Donations and Scholarships: Tax-deductible donations support Marshall-Brennan Project, scholarships, and program funding

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The University of New Mexico School of Law provides Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree programs with concentrations including Indian Law, Natural Resources & Environmental Law, International Law, Business & Tax Law, Child & Family Justice, and Border Justice. The school operates clinical legal training programs, student-edited law journals, externship placements (Semester in DC), study abroad (Madrid Summer Law Institute), continuing legal education, and academic competitions. Educational services are delivered to prospective law students, current law students, and practicing attorneys seeking CLE credits.

Product overview

The University of New Mexico School of Law is an educational institution offering multiple degree programs (JD, MSL, dual degrees) with specialized concentrations including Indian Law, International Law, Natural Resources & Environmental Law, and Clinical Legal Education. The school operates three student-edited journals (Tribal Law Journal, Natural Resources Journal, New Mexico Law Review) and numerous clinical programs, institutes, and centers including the Law and Indigenous Peoples Program, Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project, Semester in DC, and Madrid Summer Law Institute. Academic programs include the Legal Analysis and Communication Program, moot court competitions, and various continuing legal education offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Natural Resources Journal: International, interdisciplinary forum devoted to the study of natural and environmental resources law
• New Mexico Law Review
• Tribal Law Journal
• Semester in DC Program
• Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project
• Law and Indigenous Peoples Program

Products and services

• JD Program (Juris Doctor) The Juris Doctor degree program with a unique first-year curriculum, multiple concentrations (including Indian Law, International Law, Natural Resources & Environmental Law, Business & Tax Law, Child & Family Justice, and Border Justice), and clinical/externship opportunities. Designed for aspiring attorneys seeking legal education with a low student-to-faculty ratio.
• Master of Studies in Law (MSL) Program A graduate degree for non-lawyers seeking legal knowledge in specific areas without becoming practicing attorneys. Designed for professionals who need formal legal expertise for career advancement.
• Semester in DC Program A semester-long program providing up to six 2L or 3L students per cohort with practical legal training in Washington D.C., combining externship work (35 hours/week) with the Federal Law and Practice course for 15 credits. Placements are with government, non-profit, judicial, or advocacy organizations. Alumni contributions and donor scholarships support living expenses.
• Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project A civic education program where UNM law students teach constitutional law to high school students in culturally-diverse, high-poverty New Mexico public schools, culminating in local and national moot court competitions.
• Law and Indigenous Peoples Program A comprehensive Indian Law program offering the Indian Law Certificate, the Southwest Indian Law Clinic, the Tribal Law Journal, and the Native American Law Students Association. Anchored by UNM's pioneering role as the first U.S. law school to initiate Indian Law education in 1967.
• International Law Programs and Study Abroad Study abroad opportunities including the Madrid Summer Law Institute in central Spain, exchange agreements with other universities, and international law coursework covering globalization and cross-cultural legal practice. ABA-approved study abroad.
• Clinical Law Program Hands-on legal training through various clinics providing supervised representation of clients in multiple practice areas serving New Mexico communities. Includes the Southwest Indian Law Clinic and other specialized clinics.
• Legal Analysis and Communication Program First-year writing courses plus upper-level classes focused on legal analysis and communication skills needed for practice, including Advanced Legal Writing and Elements of Legal Argumentation. Teachers in the program have at least two years of practical lawyering experience.
• Academic Competitions Program Moot court, mock trial, negotiation competition, and tax practice competition opportunities for developing advocacy and litigation skills, including participation in the National Marshall-Brennan High School Moot Court Competition.
• Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Continuing Legal Education programs for practicing attorneys seeking CLE credits, including specialized Depositions Training and Mediation Training.
• Madrid Summer Law Institute Summer study abroad program in Madrid, Spain, offering international law coursework and cultural immersion. The centerpiece of UNM Law's international study opportunities, situated in central Spain.
• Border Justice Initiative Program focused on justice issues along the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Business and Tax Law Program Concentration in business law and taxation for law students seeking JD specialization in commercial and tax practice areas.
• Child and Family Justice Initiative Program addressing legal issues related to children and families, including the Corinne Wolfe Center for Child & Family Justice.
• Natural Resources and Environmental Law Program Specialized coursework and clinical opportunities in natural resources and environmental law, anchored by the Utton Transboundary Resources Center and the Natural Resources Journal. Rated A+ by preLaw Magazine 2025.
• Tribal Law Journal An online Indigenous law journal established in 1998, promoting self-determination through discussion of internal law of Indigenous nations. The premier Indigenous law journal in the United States, operating strictly as an online forum with free access.
• Natural Resources Journal An international, interdisciplinary journal devoted to the study of natural and environmental resources, published by UNM School of Law for over 50 years and operating under open access since 2010.
• New Mexico Law Review A student-edited general legal journal published two times a year, dedicated to legal scholarship.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5.1-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Indian Law Center, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Center & Institute at UNM School of Law. Works on American Indian law matters and initiatives.
• Corinne Wolfe Center for Child & Family JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner center focused on child and family justice issues within the law school ecosystem.
• Utton Transboundary Resources CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter focused on transboundary resources, supporting natural resources law program.
• Wild FriendsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner program focused on environmental and wildlife law education.
• Madrid Summer Law Institute PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudy abroad exchange agreements with universities in Spain for the Madrid Summer Law Institute program.
• Washington D.C. Government and Non-profit OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSemester in DC Program places students with government agencies, non-profits, judicial offices, and advocacy organizations in D.C.
• American Bar Association (Study Abroad)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABA-approved study abroad programs through direct UNM exchange agreements.
• American University Washington College of LawminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Marshall-Brennan High School Moot Court Competition host; UNM team competes annually.
• New Mexico Court of AppealscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated at UNM School of Law campus; serves as partner for clinical and judicial education.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law: Public Southwest law school with comparable Indian Law focus, environmental/natural resources law, and similar regional student pipeline. Directly comparable as a flagship state university law school serving a neighboring state with overlapping tribal jurisdiction interests.
• University of Washington School of Law: Public research university law school with strong Native American Law and Environmental Law programs. Comparable as a top-tier public law school combining indigenous law specialty with environmental/natural resources expertise in the Western U.S.
• University of Colorado Law School: Regional peer public law school with overlapping specialties in natural resources, environmental, and Indian/tribal law serving the Rocky Mountain region. Directly comparable in mission, public funding model, and applicant demographics.
• University of Oklahoma College of Law: Public Southwest/Plains law school with strong Indian Law program and similar Native American student pipeline focus. Comparable in Indian Law specialty offerings and tribal law curriculum, with significant overlap in tribal jurisdiction geography.
• University of Hawai'i at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law: Public law school with strong Native Hawaiian/indigenous law focus and environmental/maritime law emphasis. Comparable as a public institution with niche indigenous law specialty serving Pacific Islander and indigenous communities.
• University of Montana Alexander Blewett III School of Law: Small public law school with strong environmental and natural resources law focus, serving a similar regional rural market. Comparable in scale, environmental law specialty, and reliance on state appropriations.
• University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law: Regional peer public law school with environmental and natural resources law strength, serving a neighboring state with similar applicant demographics. Comparable in size, public funding model, and Western U.S. market positioning.
• University of Kansas School of Law: Public state university law school with similar scale, public funding model, and broad JD program. Comparable as a regional public law school competing for similar applicant pools from the central United States.

Broad incumbents

• Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law: Larger and more established public Southwest law school offering broader program portfolio including Indian Law and environmental law as part of a wider curriculum. Comparable geographically and in mission, but broader and better-resourced.

Regional players

• University of Idaho College of Law: Small public law school in a neighboring state with similar natural resources and environmental law emphasis, serving a regional market with comparable rural demographics. Comparable in scale and specialty focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unm
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/unmlive
• Facebookfacebook.com/21749746264
• Instagraminstagram.com/uofnm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-university-of-new-mexico

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University of New Mexico School of Law