From 1996 to 2008 The University of New Mexico School of Law published award-winning Thesis Honors Law student scholarship. Descriptions of these works may include the name of the supervising faculty member and the class for which the work was created. Student papers have not been peer reviewed or edited, and should not be relied upon for legal advice.
Submissions from 2008
The Tension Between Sovereign Immunity and Popular Sovereignty, Aristede Chakeres
The Colonia and the Landfill: Colonias Development Council V. Rhino Environmental Services, Inc., Kristina Fisher
Words Felt Round the World: Searching for a Balance between Free Speech and Genocide Prevention', Karl Reifsteck
Submissions from 2006
On Miranda and Misinterpretation: A Look at the Rights of Native American Defendants, S. Meredith Morris
Killing with Kindness: The Myth of "Consumer Protection" in the Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, Margaret Romero
Submissions from 2005
Implications of Incorporating State Created Rights into the Federal Constitution Through the Ninth Amendment, Esteban A. Aguilar Jr.
Should State Courts be Required to Follow the Decisions of Lower Federal Courts when Interpreting Questions of Federal Law?, Quinn Bumgarner-Kirby
The Disenfranchisement of the American Indian, Brenna Clani
A Light in the Dark--Creating Hope for Victims of Trafficking with HIV/AIDS, Morgan Honeycutt
Pathways Toward Reconciliation: A Comparative Analysis, Darcie Johnson
On Miranda and Misinterpretation: A Look at the Rights of Native American Defendants, S. Meredith Morris
Asylum Claims Based on Persecution on Account of Religion: Women Persecuted Under Shari'ah Law, Nicole Moss
State ex rel. Martinez v. City of Las Vegas: The Misuse of History and Precedent in Overruling the Pueblo Water Rights Doctrine in New Mexico, Martha Mulvany
Congress Moves to Suspend Judicial Review to Protect the Unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act, Christina Okon
Digital Music Sampling & Copyright Law: Can the Interests of Copyright Owners and Sampling Artists Be Reconciled?, Carlos Ruiz De La Torre
Weighing and Balancing Social and Economic Considerations of Siting Landfills to Address Environmental Justice Concerns, Sharon Shaheen
Removing Remedies, Removing Rights; the Future of 1983 Claims for Violations of the IDEA in the Wake of Gonzaga v. Doe, Erin Toponce
Submissions from 2004
Interstate Management of the High Plains Aquifer: A Case Study of Western Texas and Eastern New Mexico, Kim Bannerman
Due process for asylum seekers?, Christopher Lee
When Estates Collide: A Student's Exploration of the Law of Conflicts in Mineral Development, Jason Marks
Intertribal Conflicts and Customary Law Regimes in North Africa: A Comparison of Haratine and Ait 'Atta Indigenous Legal Systems, Anna Martinez
Applying a Game Theory Model to Conflict and Cooperation on the Columbia River, Marcos Martinez
Submissions from 2003
Toxic Torts and the Fear of Cancer: Who Should Be Compensated for Emotional Distress? Dodge v. Cotter Corporation, Susan Johnson
Of Hammers and Saws: The Toolbox of Federalism and Sources of Law for the Web, Thomas A. Lane
The Pipeline Industry Meets Grief Unimaginable: Congress Reacts with the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002, Carol M. Parker
Raising and Preserving for Review Claims for Expanded Protections for Criminal Defendants under the New Mexico State Constiution, Bruce Evan Thompson
Submissions from 2002
Palazzolo v. Rhode Island: Clarification and More Confusion on the Notice Issue, Jaime L. Dawes
Asylum Claims in the United States by Afghan Women, Stephanie Fuchs
Flying and Fighting Confederate Flags, Kari Ward Karr
Cryptography and Anonymity: Two Reasons Why the First Amendment Favors Peer-To-Peer Technology, Robyn Wagner
Submissions from 2001
The Power Structure of the Three Affiliated Tribes, Rebecca Anne Birdsbill Ford
ERISA and State Regulation of Health Care, Caroline Blankenship
The Indian Child Welfare Act; An Acknowledgement of Sovereignty in the Best Interests of the Child, Cedric Ian Hay
A Supreme Challenge: Reducing Judicial Reliance on the Plenary Power Doctrine in Immigration Law, Regina M. Hurley
Kinship Care, Public Policy, and the Best Interests of Children, Lisa H. Olewine
Indian Tribal Recognition: The Historical Evidence Quagmire to Prove Tribal Status, Pilar Thomas
The International Criminal Court: Is the Jurisdiction over U.S. Military Personnel Too Broad?, Vincent J. Ward
Music File Sharing--Its Effect on Copyright Law and Business Models in the Early 21st Century, David M. Wesner
Submissions from 2000
Chemical Treatment of Sex Offenders, Cherylinn Gunning
The Overseas Refugee Program: Foreign Policy, Public Opinion, and Refugee Policy, Merissa Kandalaft
Issues of Statelessness in International Law; Two Cases: The Baltic States and Israel/Palestine, Margaret E. Keen
Conjunctive Management of Stream-Aquifer Water Rights; The Hubbard Decision, Jeffrie Minier
Indian Law and the Rhetoric of Race: Uses of Blood Quantum to Reorganization, Paul Spruhan
The Prudent Layperson Standard: Bridging the Gap Between EMTALA and MCO Review of Emergency Utilization, Pilar Vaile
Submissions from 1999
Grazing on National Forest Riparian Lands: Illegal Disruption of Water Flows?, Marc Lowry
25 U.S.C. \xa7 81 Qui Tam Proceedings: A Federal Statutory Remedy for Resolving Gaming Compact Disputes, Jeanne Hetzel Miller
The Grant of Political Asylum Based on China's Population Control Policy, Isela Molina
Victim of "Another B.I.A. Blunder:" Individual Indian Title and the General Allotment Act, Pete Petersen
When Arsenic is Safer in Your Cup of Tea Than in Your Local Water Treatment Plant, Sue E. Umshler
Submissions from 1998
The Uncertain Present and Future of Dedicated Retirements, Jon Boller
Voiding Surrogacy Contracts to Protect Children: A Blueprint for New Mexico, Jay R. Combs
Civil Commitment of Pregnant Women as a Means of Protecting Fetuses from Maternal Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Dana S. Hardy
Feticide and Criminal Law: Is There an Acceptable Approach?, Zachary Ives
The Legal Construction of Gender, Trena Lee Klohe
Turning Blood Into Whine--"Fear of Aids" as a Cognizable Cause of Action in New Mexico, Eric J. Knapp
A Principaled Approach to Valuing Career Goodwill as Distributable Community Property, Brian K. Matise
New Mexico Bad Faith, Cheryl Thompson
Submissions from 1996
From the Closet to the House-Tops: the Law and Ethics of Media "Outing", Allison Bailey
Female Genital Mutilation: A Form of Persecution, Beth Ann Gillia
In Search of the Deliberative Initiative: A Proposal for a New Method of Constitutional Change, Arne R. Leonard
A Good Regulation Went Bad: Fractional Elk Graze New Mexico, Brian Thomas
