Latino Community Events in New Mexico

A straight-shooter, Jay R. Mueller focuses his practice on child custody, child welfare, divorce, domestic violence, DWI defense and family law. Jay brings a calm and sense of peace to his clients' often choatic situations. He has been a practicing attorney since 2002 and founded his firm in 2006. Jay earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from New Mexico Highlands University and studied law at the University of New Mexico School of Law. While a student, Jay served as both an enlisted member and later commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve and Army National Guard. He served with HHB, 6th BN, 200th Air Defense Artillery, New Mexico Army National Guard as well he was a First Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps in the U.S. Army Reserve. He has authored legal articles. His research concerning Navajo traditional law was published in the Tribal Law Journal at the University of New Mexico's School of Law. Jay is also currently writing a family law and child custody book for the general public. During his legal studies, Jay worked on family law cases, DWI and criminal defense, as well as Native American issues. He researched family law issues for the Navajo Nation Solicitor and won his first DWI case in the Pueblo of Isleta Tribal Court. In the last several years Jay has received specialized legal training provided by the Children's Law Institute and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. This training has been focused on children's welfare law, mediation and conflict resolution, and courtroom techniques. Jay has represented people with respect to divorce, child custody, domestic violence and DWI cases for over fourteen years! In the past we enjoyed a special relationship with the Second and Thirteenth Judicial District Children's Courts and continue to serve as Court-appointed counsel in various family law and children's court cases. Jay welcomes appointment as a guardian ad litem in "high conflict" child custody cases. Jay has represented hundreds of parents, children, and teens in child custody, child support, domestic violence, divorces, and civil child abuse/neglect proceedings in various district courts and children's courts in Albuquerque, Grants, Las Vegas, Los Lunas, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, and the New Mexico Court of Appeals. Our law firm is based on the belief that our clients' needs are of the utmost importance. Our entire team is committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of our business is from returning clients and referrals. We would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best legal services possible.

The Latine American Law Student Association represents a legacy of advocacy and community transformation spanning over five decades in Albuquerque, New Mexico. What began in the early 1970s as a grassroots initiative by law students committed to greater diversity in the legal community has blossomed into a powerful force for change, currently serving as one of the most vibrant student organizations at the University of New Mexico School of Law. LALSA's founding vision—to recruit, support, and assist Latino and Hispanic law students—remains as vital today as it was at inception. The organization recognizes that meaningful diversity in the legal profession requires intentional investment at multiple levels of the educational pipeline. This philosophy drives LALSA's multifaceted approach to community building, from mentoring relationships that provide personal guidance and encouragement to strategic pipeline initiatives that introduce middle and high school students to legal careers before they even enter undergraduate programs. In 2010, LALSA formalized its nonprofit status as a 501(c)(3) corporation, solidifying its commitment to serving not only law students but the entire Albuquerque community. This evolution reflected the organization's expanding mission: increasing diversity in the legal profession while actively giving back through service projects and charitable partnerships. Today, LALSA members understand themselves as part of a continuum of legal advocates working toward systemic change. Based at the University of New Mexico School of Law, LALSA embodies the values of accessibility, mutual support, and community responsibility. The organization's work—from providing free LSAT preparation to fundraising for local nonprofits—reflects a deep commitment to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities to access and thrive in the legal profession.

Serving the diverse communities of Albuquerque, NM and surrounding regions, the Consulate of Mexico represents the Government of Mexico and serves a constituency encompassing 24 New Mexico counties—including Bernalillo, Santa Fe, San Juan, and Taos—as well as 38 counties across Northwest Texas. This consulate plays a vital role in connecting Mexican citizens and their families with essential government services and community resources. Whether residents need assistance with identity documents, travel papers, immigration concerns, or guidance on human and family rights matters, the consulate provides personalized support rooted in understanding the unique needs of the communities it represents. The consulate's mission extends beyond documentation to include protection and advocacy, helping individuals navigate complex legal systems and access critical services in education, healthcare, and financial assistance. By maintaining strong ties with the Albuquerque, New Mexico area and surrounding territories, the consulate fosters meaningful relationships between the Mexican government and the residents who depend on its services. The consulate's commitment to community affairs ensures that families and individuals receive not only official documentation but also compassionate guidance through life's most important transitions and challenges.

Since its establishment in 1989, the New Mexico Hispanic Medical Association has been a cornerstone of healthcare equity in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico. This private not-for-profit organization was founded on the principle that healthcare should be accessible and affordable for every New Mexican, regardless of economic circumstances. The NMHMA builds community health capacity through multiple interconnected programs: mentoring aspiring healthcare professionals who commit to serving their home state, awarding scholarships to students dedicated to New Mexico's healthcare future, and organizing regular health fairs and free clinics that bring medical services directly to underserved neighborhoods. The association's work extends beyond immediate patient care to include advocacy for healthcare policies that strengthen access and affordability across the state. By negotiating medical discounts on behalf of the uninsured and providing specialized continuing medical education to healthcare professionals, NMHMA addresses both immediate healthcare needs and long-term systemic improvements. The organization's leadership, composed of dedicated physicians and healthcare professionals based in Albuquerque, reflects a deep commitment to community service and professional excellence. Through its integrated approach—combining direct patient care, professional development, student mentorship, and policy advocacy—the New Mexico Hispanic Medical Association demonstrates that healthcare transformation happens when medical professionals unite around shared values of equity, access, and service to their communities.