New Mexico could consider licensing alternatives to address rural lawyer shortage

By: Joshua Bowling

Outlets: Source New Mexico

Published: June 23, 2026

Words: 642

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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Two New Mexico Supreme Court justices updated state lawmakers Tuesday on their efforts to address rural lawyer shortages, and broached the idea of joining the growing number of states to implement alternative licensing to the bar exam.

Several challenges contribute to the state’s lawyer shortage. New Mexico has just one law school — at the University of New Mexico — and it produces about 100 graduates per class, Chief Justice Julie Vargas and Justice …

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