UNM Press Release

The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Laurie Mellas, 277-5915 or 249-4673

Dec. 5, 2005

Biderman Named Director of UNM Law Institute

Paul Biderman has been named director of the Institute of Public Law at the University of New Mexico School of Law. His duties officially begin Dec. 1.

Biderman has served as director of the institute's Rozier E. Sanchez Judicial Education Center since its inception in 1991. Under his leadership, the JEC established a strong record of presenting conferences and publishing resources for the state's judiciary. The center is among the first judicial education programs to use satellite teleconferencing and is a national leader in developing Web-based educational programming. As head of the larger institute, Biderman plans to take all of IPL in new directions in consultation with staff, the law school dean and faculty.

“I plan to do a lot of listening. IPL is a very strong organization with a strong base to build on. I'm excited about the opportunity to explore its full potential,” he said.

In addition to the Judicial Education Center, the institute is home to the Corinne Wolfe Children's Law Center, Traffic Safety Law Center, Center for Wildlife Law and Legal Services Center.

“Programmatically, we have operated as a group of centers. I would like us to operate more often as an integrated institute,” Biderman said.

Providing a broader range of educational services, more policy analysis and assistance with law development, are among his goals, he said. He is also committed to improving quality of life for New Mexico's children and Indian tribes and strengthening health and water policy.

“We can have a broader impact on public policy and development and the understanding of law in the state,” Biderman said.

Admitted to the state bar in 1971, Biderman's previous positions include New Mexico secretary of energy and minerals and head of the attorney general's Consumer Protection Division. Biderman worked in legal services programs for Navajos and in Northern New Mexico and was in private practice in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. His legal career includes considerable work in consumer protection, utility regulation and Indian law.

He has volunteered as a board member for numerous non-profit organizations. He is currently board president of the Monte del Sol Charter School in Santa Fe and a board member of the Millennium (Substance Abuse) Treatment Services program.

Biderman received the 1997 Judicial Education Award from the American Bar Association Judicial Division and the 2005 Public Lawyer of the Year Award from the New Mexico State Bar. He lives in Santa Fe with his wife, Ellen, who was a founding director of the Santa Fe Children's Museum and now works for the UNM Family Development Program.

The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.