NMSC News:

SANTA FE — More than 25 people received help with legal issues at a legal fair Friday at the Santa Fe County Courthouse.

Members of the public received a free, 45-minute consultation and were matched with one of 11 volunteer attorneys who offered help with civil and family law subjects including divorce, child custody and support disputes, landlord/tenant disputes, consumer debt, guardianship, name changes, and probate issues.

Providing access to the law and the courts is a fundamental tenet for the First Judicial District Court’s (FJDC) Access to Justice Committee, which organized the legal fair along with staff from the New Mexico Supreme Court Law Library, and the New Mexico Legal Aid. 

“We all know how important it is for people to be able to access the justice system,” First Judicial District Judge Sylvia LaMar said. “We are extremely grateful to have the support of the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court Law Library staff, New Mexico Legal Aid, and the wonderful attorneys who volunteered their time.” Judge LaMar is also the FJDC Access to Justice Committee chair.

The district court’s Access to Justice Committee meets at least quarterly to discuss ways to expand and improve civil and family legal assistance to New Mexicans, and is comprised of judges and court staff, attorneys and law firms, New Mexico Legal Aid staff, the State Law Librarian and Supreme Court Law Library staff.

“All of the organizers, including the Law Library staff, are excited about today’s event,” said Stephanie Wilson, state law librarian and FJDC Access to Justice Committee member. “Working together to provide access to civil legal services is important, and people who came in for help benefited from the one-on-one assistance with our volunteer attorneys.”