University of New Mexico Provost Suzanne Ortega announced that the search committee for a new dean of the UNM School of Law has been named. Ortega, who was hired in March and officially assumes her role today, is the hiring officer for the search.
The search committee chair is Brenda Claiborne, dean, College of Arts & Sciences. Vice chair is School of Law faculty Laura Gomez. Other law school faculty committee members are Norman Bay, Fred Hart, Steven Homer, April Land, John LaVelle, Nathalie Martin, Jose Martinez and Jenny Moore. Committee members Melissa Lobato and Susan Mitchess represent staff and DeAnza Valencia and Leon Howard represent the students.
Chief Justice Edward L. Chavez, New Mexico Supreme Court, David Martinez, Oso Law Firm, Martinez & Hart, P.C., and Maureen Sanders, Sanders & Westbrook, P.C., represent the professional community.
Bonnie Leigh Reifsteck from the Office of the Provost is the search coordinator.
The new dean will replace Suellyn Scarnecchia, who resigned earlier this year to accept a position as university counsel at the University of Michigan.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu