N.M. Sup. Ct. Order No. S-1-AO-2026-00026

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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO 1

July 30, 2026 2

NO. S-1-AO-2026-00026 3

IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF 4

A SKILLS-BASED PATHWAY TO BAR 5

LICENSURE 6

ORDER 7

WHEREAS, this matter came on for consideration upon recommendation of the 8

New Mexico Supreme Court Bar Licensure and Rural Access to Justice Executive 9

Committee (“Committee”) to consider the adoption of a skill s-based pathway to bar 10

licensure in New Mexico; 11

WHEREAS, in June 2026, the Committee submitted its report to the Supreme 12

Court with a number of recommendations to address alternative pathways to licensure 13

in New Mexico, see attached Report and Recommendations of the New Mexico 14

Supreme Court Bar Licensure and Rural Access to Justice Executive Committee; 15

WHEREAS, the Committee concludes that the current exam-based pathway does 16

not adequately assess the full range of skills necessary for the practice of law in New 17

Mexico and creates barriers for oth erwise qualified candidates, and imposes financial 18

burdens on those candidates at a time when New Mexico faces a shortage of attorneys; 19

Filed

Supreme Court of New Mexico

7/30/2026 4:14 PM

Office of the Clerk

1 WHEREAS, to address these inadequacies, barriers, and unmet legal needs, the

2 Committee recommends adopting a skills-based pathway to bar licensure in New

3 Mexico, in addition to the current bar exam-based pathway; and

4 WHEREAS, the Court having considered the recommendation and being

5 sufficiently advised, Chief Justice Julie J. Vargas, Justice Michael E. Vigil, Justice C.

6 Shannon Bacon, Justice David K. Thomson, and Justice Briana H. Zamora concurring;

7 NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the Committee’s recommendations

8 as set forth in the report are APPROVED;

9 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a skills-based pathway to licensure, in addition

10 to the current bar exam-based pathway, is adopted and shall commence upon further

11 order of the Court;

12 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a subcommittee (Subcommittee) to the

13 Alternative Pathways to Licensure Ad Hoc Committee is hereby formed consisting of

14 the following individuals, who shall be charged with the development of forms,

15 trainings, and rubrics for the skills-based pathway that are consistent with the

16 recommendations in the report and that shall be submitted to the Court for approval:

17 1. Chief Justice Julie J. Vargas

18 2. Justice C. Shannon Bacon

19 3. Ann L. Keith, General Counsel to the Chief Justice

20 4. Camille Pedrick, Executive Director of the Board of Bar Examiners

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5. Deborah Jones Merritt, Professor, Ohio State University 1

6. Serge Martinez, Associate Dean of Experiential Learning, UNM SOL2

7. Torri Jacobus, Director of Statewide Equity, Inclusion, & Justice, AOC3

8. Arlene Baca, Statewide Training Coordinator, AOC CEI4

9. David Stout, Professor, UNM SOL5

10. Elizabeth Holmes, Training & Recruitment Director, NM LOPD6

11. Royce Deller, Esq.7

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Board of Bar Examiners shall present 8

proposed rule amendments, in accordance with Rule 23-106.1 NMRA, that implement 9

the skills-based pathway consistent with the recommendations in the attached report; 10

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Subcommittee shall recommend an 11

implementation date for the skills-based pathway to licensure. 12

IT IS SO ORDERED. 13

WITNESS, the Honorable Julie J. Vargas, Chief Justice of 15

the Supreme Court of the State of New Mexico, and the 16

seal of said Court this 30th day of July, 2026. 17

El izabeth A. Garcia, Chief Clerk of the Supreme Court 19

of the State of New Mexico 20