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  • Committee on Women and the Legal Profession:

    —Regularly publishes the “Ask Pat” column in the Bar Bulletin.
    —Continues efforts in proposing changes to New Mexico’s gender neutral statute, NMSA 1978, § 12-2A-5.
    —Conducted a 2007 Summit on Women and the Legal Profession.
    —Sponsors support group meetings for lawyers who are parents.
    —Sponsors the annual Outstanding Women Advocacy Award presented by the State Bar.
    —Plans to publish prototypes of family leave policies.
    —Address issues raised by various respondents in future “Ask Pat” columns.
    —Explores ways to increase law school student involvement in the Committee and serving the needs of female law students.


    Gender Equality in the Courts Handbook



 

Women and the Legal Profession Committee

 

The Committee on Women and the Legal Profession address issues affecting women as lawyers and judges and monitors substantive issues of women.

 

Justice Pamela B. Minzner Outstanding Advocacy for Women Award

 

The 2012 Justice Pamela B. Minzner Outstanding Advocacy for Women Award recognizes attorneys who have distinguished themselves during the prior year by providing legal assistance to women who are underrepresented or underserved or by advocating for causes that will ultimately benefit and/or further the rights of women.

 

The Committee on Women and the Legal Profession reviewed the nominations and selected Elizabeth Rourke, Legal Director of ENLACE Communitario, who stood out as someone who embodied what this award is all about by "working in the trenches" and advocating for a population of women that are under-served and under-represented.  Legal Director of ENLACE Communitario.


Holiday Reception and Award Ceremony


The Committee on Women and the Legal Profession held a holiday reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the Sheraton Uptown Hotel and presented the 2010 Justice Pamela B. Minzner Outstanding Advocacy for Women Award to Judge Linda Vanzi of the New Mexico Court of Appeals. 

Co-Chair Jocelyn Castillo with Judge Linda Vanzi Judge Linda Vanzi Addresses State Bar Members After Receiving Her Award
Jocelyn Castillo (left), co-chair of the Committee on Women and the Legal Profession, presents the 2010 Justice Pamela B. Minzner Outstanding Advocacy for Women Award to the Honorable Linda M. Vanzi.
In her acceptance speech, Judge Linda Vanzi commented on how significant it was to her to receive an award connected to the late Justice Pamela B. Minzner.


2009 Justice Pamela B. Minzner Outstanding Advocacy for Women Award

Ask Pat Articles


Ask Pat is feature provided by the Committee on Women and the Profession. This is a question and answer column with a twist. "Pat" will answer questions about gender bias in the legal profession.

Letters are loosely based on real events. Send comments or letters to Ask Pat, State Bar of New Mexico, PO Box 92860, Albuquerque, NM 87199.

Committee Chairs and Mission Statement

2010 Annual Report
2009 Annual Report
2008 Annual Report
2007 Annual Report
2006 Annual Report