Ellis Amicus Team Focuses on Medical Research rofessor Jim Ellis was at it again last fall, assem-


P


bling a team of students and faculty to produce an amicus brief for a U.S. Supreme Court case in less than a month, which included finals week. What set this effort apart from the 15 previous briefs was that it sent students to the UNM Health Sci- ences Library and Informatics Center for most of their research. The brief addressed two Texas death-penalty


cases, Abdul-Kabir v. Quarterman and Brewer v. Quarterman. In separate incidents, the men were convicted of murders during robberies. At issue was the failure of the Texas courts to allow jurors to consider mitigating evidence when sen- tencing the men to death. In both cases, the men had suffered trauma as children: Abdul-Kabir was mistreated and abandoned; Brewer was physically abused and, as an adult, suffered from depres- sion.


The students’ challenge was a scientific one;


they researched brain development, how various forms of abuse can affect that development and how long those effects might last. Their research produced a printed Table of Authorities that was 17 pages long, with most articles cited being pub- lished since 2000. “We became medical students,” says Erin O’Connell, who along with Kate Girard, led the student team. Both have served as Ellis’ research assistants for the past two years and would keep doing so if they could, but they are graduating this spring. “Luckily, some team members had a science background, but the rest of us had to jump in and learn how to do this kind of research that centered on neuro-physiological articles.” For both O’Connell and Girard, the biggest


surprise was to discover that neglect is more dam- aging to the brain’s development than physical abuse. They also learned that both physical and


psychological abuse can lead to mental illness and is often irreversible. In typical fashion, Ellis included the students


in every step of the process, meeting with them daily. “He spends a lot of time reminding us that the


Supreme Court judges are nine people and that we have to be subtle in how we present the infor- mation,” says Girard. For both Girard and O’Connell, working with


Ellis has been not only the highlight of their law- school experience, but of their lives. “As students, we feel an unbelievable honor


that Professor Ellis is so generous with his knowl- edge. He loves the students and teaching, and he uses this experience to inform and excite us,” says O’Connell. “It’s been like winning the lottery to work with him.” The high court heard oral arguments in Janu-


ary and in April ruled by a vote of 5-4 in favor of the position supported by the UNM team in both cases.


Members of the Amicus Team


Kate Girard Erin O’Connell Nikko Harada Jennifer Maloney Nick Marshall Tim McLaughlin Katie Wray Jennifer Benoit Mark Bolton Nat Chakeres Gail Chasey Martin Guerrero


Erin Olson Mike Osborn


Samantha Ruscavage-Barz


Faculty Michael Browde Carol Suzuki Norman Bay Steven Homer April Land


Upcoming Events June 7 - 8


Fourth Annual Water Policy CLE This CLE will focus on the Utton Center Model Interstate Water Compact and why it is useful. Co-sponsored by the Utton Transboundary Resources Center and the Natural Resources, Energy and Environment Section of the State Bar. 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. State Bar of New Mexico To register, contact the State Bar, 797.6071


July 22,23


Indian Law Symposium “Indian Law Clinics and Externship Programs: Pedagogy, Methodology and Curriculum Design,” is the title of the program sponsored by the Southwest Indian Law Clinic at the UNM School of Law and the Tribal Law Practice Clinic at Washburn University School of Law. UNM School of Law Contact Mitzi Vigil at 277.0405 or vigil@law.unm.edu


August 3


Summer Golf Classic Tournament raises funds for scholarship and alumni programs at the law school. Sponsored by the UNM School of Law Alumni Association. Isleta Eagle Golf Course Lunch: noon


Shotgun start: 1 p.m. Entry fee: $110/player or $425/foursome. To sign up, contact Carmen Rawls at 277.8184.


Tax Law Club Provides Free Tax Service


Chad Gruber helps Mary Jeff Guthrie fill out her income tax forms as part of a free service offered by the UNM School of Law’s Tax Law Club. Two days a week for two months, club members volunteered to provide the service to taxpayers of all ages through AARP Tax- Aide. By filing day, they had assisted nearly 100 taxpayers.


Correction In the Winter 2007 issue of UNM LAW, Zackeree Kelin’s name was misspelled. We regret the error. SPRING 2007 UNMLAW 3 October 19


14th Annual Distinguished Achievement Awards Dinner Sponsored by the UNM School of Law and the School of Law Alumni/ae Association. 6 p.m. hosted beer and wine reception 7 p.m. dinner and awards UNM Student Union Ballroom Contact: Carmen Rawls at 277.8184 or rawls@law.unm.edu


For a more up-to-date list of events, visit lawschool.unm.edu.


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