But many New Mexicans cannot afford to hire an attorney and risk losing their homes, healthcare, and livelihood because it’s very difficult to successfully navigate the court system alone. 

Civil legal attorneys provide New Mexicans with free or low-cost legal advice and representation in non-criminal matters like family safety, employment rights, health, lending rights, economic security, and shelter. They also also provide system-wide advocacy to shape laws, programs, and institutions. 

But the civil legal services system is under-resourced and less than 20% of New Mexicans who need civil legal services receive them. 

NMCLP works to increase the number of low-income New Mexicans who can access attorneys for civil matters. We work with a coalition of civil legal service providers to raise awareness about the system and advocate for increased funding and resources. NMCLP has co-led legislative efforts to establish a recurring state appropriation that today—along with other funding sources—generates more than $5 million of financial support annually to legal aid organizations in New Mexico.