Blog Post

NM Chief Justice Edward Chavez

Posted by: Felissa M. Garcia
April 05, 2009
Topic: New Mexico Divorce and Family Law Real Life Cases and Judges

Last week I watched a Professionalism CLE (Continuing Legal Education) where New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Ed Chavez was the moderator. The CLE was about clients with disabilities. It was a very eye opening session and one that impressed upon me the big responsibility we as attorneys have to not only acknowledge, but also to respect clients with disabilities. The portion of the seminar that hit me the hardest was that many times clients with disabilities are witnesses and the Judge hearing the case is not made aware that the witness has a disability. Therefore, this can be mistakenly taken by the Judge as a witness who is either hesitating, or worse, lying, when really the hesitation comes as a result of a disability. I never quite thought about that as a lawyer, mostly because in New Mexico Family Law, we very rarely have trials where there are witnesses giving testimony. In any event, it made me aware that even if we don't have an evidentiary hearing, the witness nevertheless sits next to the Divorce or Custody Lawyer, and may make movements that may be distracting or frustrating to the Judge, and again may be taken as a form of disrespect or dishonesty on the part of the client with disabilities.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Justice Chavez in his chambers through a wonderful mentor named Dr. Henry Casso. Dr. Casso is an dear and tender man and he is always looking for ways to help people, young lawyers, even students. He is a great motivator and just a gift to this world.

I was glad to have the opportunity to watch the CLE regarding NM Legal clients with disabilities and I intend to respect the directives and advice given therein. Felissa M. Garcia