We value your commitment to serve low-income New Mexicans
Thank you for your invaluable contribution to our mission of expanding and strengthening pro bono efforts across communities statewide. Together, we aim to support and empower you in ensuring that low-income New Mexicans have access to trusted legal guidance, no matter where they live.
This portal is designed exclusively for our dedicated volunteer attorneys and serves as a comprehensive resource to equip you with the tools and information needed to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients.
Through this portal, you can access previously offered CLE recordings, case studies, presentation materials, pro se forms, and direct links to a wide range of additional resources.
VAP CLE ECHO Program
A valuable resource and learning tool for volunteer attorneys.
The mission of the VAP CLE ECHO Program is to expand the knowledge and expertise of volunteer attorneys across the state through tele-mentorship, while building a collaborative community of practice focused on the legal needs of low-income rural New Mexicans.
As an accredited CLE provider, New Mexico Legal Aid’s Volunteer Attorney Program, offers volunteer attorneys free interactive CLEs through the VAP CLE ECHO Program. Our ECHO Program is the first of its kind, utilizing the ECHO model to expand the knowledge and expertise of legal practitioners across the state through tele-mentorship.
In using the ECHO model, each CLE session includes a topic presentation by an attorney who serves as the subject matter expert and a hands-on case presentation that allows participants to address a problem of practice related to the topic presentation.
Through the efforts of the VAP CLE ECHO Program, we aim to continue expanding and enhancing this portal. Previously offered CLE sessions and resources are conveniently organized and accessible on subpages by practice area.
Ongoing Pro Bono Opportunities
Direct Representation Program
Pro Bono attorneys are matched with low-income clients for full or limited scope representation, brief service or advice and counsel, based on the attorney’s preferred scope of service.
For information on current cases needing your assistance, please contact our Direct-Representation Paralegal, Meryl Sutton at meryls@nmlegalaid.org.
Statewide Legal Teleclinics
In conjunction with the Second Judicial District Pro Bono Committee and the NMSB Foundation’s Modest Means Helpline (MMH), VAP provides telephonic consultations to New Mexicans statewide. Volunteer attorneys can offer one-time consultations from the convenience of their home or office.
For additional information or to volunteer at an upcoming Teleclinic, please contact our Statewide Pro Bono Coordinator, Bella Zayani, at bellaz@nmlegalaid.org.
Legal Fairs
In collaboration with each Judicial District’s Pro Bono Committee, VAP coordinates in-person legal fairs across the state. Volunteers have the opportunity to provide one-time consultations addressing the most pressing issues faced by pro se clients.
- September 17, 2026 – Las Vegas Legal Fair
- September 18, 2026 – Taos Legal Fair
- November 7, 2026 – Alamogordo Legal Fair
For additional information or to volunteer at an upcoming Legal Fair, please contact our Statewide Pro Bono Coordinator, Bella Zayani, at bellaz@nmlegalaid.org..
