University of New Mexico No. 1 on List of Top Law Schools for Hispanics

The University of New Mexico School of Law awards 30 percent of its degrees to Hispanics and has a law faculty that is 23 percent Hispanic, earning the school first place on a list of top law schools for Hispanics.

Diversity at the law school “has developed organically from surrounding communities,” according to a Hispanic Business magazine article on the list. About four out of 10 New Mexico residents are Hispanic, and the school has a strong base of Hispanic alumni that attracts minority applicants.

Law school dean Kevin Washburn told the publication that graduates such as New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Petra Jimenez Maes and former New Mexico attorney general Patricia Madrid are "walking advertisements" for the diversity of the law school.

The top five on the Hispanic Business magazine list are:

1) The University of New Mexico School of Law. 30% of JDs awarded to Hispanics, 23% of faculty is Hispanic.

2) University of Texas at Austin School of Law. 17% of JDs awarded to Hispanics, 5% of faculty is Hispanic.

3) Florida State University College of Law. 9% of JDs awarded to Hispanics, 14% of faculty is Hispanic.

4) American University Washington College of Law. 12% of JDs awarded to Hispanics, 7% of faculty is Hispanic.

5) University of Miami School of Law. 11% of JDs awarded to Hispanics, 10% of faculty is Hispanic.