Requesting Legal Assistance

We at the New Mexico Environmental Law Center are committed to working with communities to address environmental justice issues.  We are the only legal organization in New Mexico providing free or low cost legal representation in environmental justice cases.  

If you or your community is faced with environmental pollution or other environmental problems, please read the following before requesting assistance. 

We will evaluate and may accept a request for assistance if it meets any of the following factors:

  • There is significant threat to human health, air, water or land.
  • Environmental justice issues are presented; everyone is entitled to a clean and healthy environment regardless of their race, socio-economic status, ethnicity, gender, disability or tribal affiliation.
  • The case could establish a precedent that would help other communities. 
  • You or your community do not already have legal representation.
  • You or your community do not have resources to otherwise obtain legal representation.
  • The New Mexico Environmental Law Center has adequate resources and the capacity to provide high quality legal services.

If your situation meets any of these factors, please provide a brief written description of your issue, your contact information, including your telephone number and email address, and any pending deadlines to: rfa@nmelc.org.  Our staff will evaluate your request and respond as quickly as possible.  If you need a response immediately, please note that in your request.  If you do not have access to email, please leave a detailed message with the required information at 505-989-9022. Because of NMELC’s limited resources and capacity, we cannot guarantee that we will accept your case even if it meets the above criteria.  

We do not accept the following types of cases:

  1. Disputes between private landowners;
  2. Disputes between a single individual or business owner and a regulatory agency, county, city, state, tribal or federal government;
  3. Criminal law matters;
  4. General civil law matters, such as contract disputes, consumer law issues, government benefits, divorce or child custody, landlord/tenant disputes, tax issues, or probate and wills;
  5. Personal injury, medical malpractice or toxic torts.  
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