Alumni Award Recipients

Joe Diaz
Erna S. Fergusson Award, 2010

One of Joe Diaz's early jobs as a young man in Grants was as a rodeo clown.

At first glance there doesn't seem to be much similarity between rodeo clowns and attorneys, although retired New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Joseph Baca says if you're courageous enough to get in a barrel with bulls coming at you, that's pretty good training for court.

So, right out of the chute we can tell that Joe Diaz is not your everyday attorney. Never was. Never will be.

Joe has worked for both of the major New Mexico law firms: the Rodey firm and Modrall Sperling, where he is now of counsel.

These two fine firms may be called, by some, uptight and button-downed. Not Joe.

"Joe is the absolute opposite of that, "says Justice Baca, "in appearance and in his approach to life."

In the 70s, Joe was an associate of the late Arturo Ortega, a great trial lawyer and UNM Regent. The 70s were turbulent times in our country and at UNM. At one point, students held a sit-in in Arturo's office. A very intense man, Arturo was ready to confront the students and call the police. Joe, on the other hand, suggested that they go to Dunkin Donuts and buy donuts for the kids. Which they did. It worked.

From 1973 to 1990 Joe was Bernalillo County Attorney. That's a pretty long tenure for an appointee of our politically charged County Commission. But Joe was able to "negotiate the vagaries of politics," Baca says.

He even tried running for Mayor. In his campaign ads he always wore a red bowtie. Joe is notorious for his bowties – although rumor has it that they're clip-ons? Joe is a staunch Republican who can be relied upon to get people to the polls, whether by driving them himself or giving them gas money.

Joe graduated from UNM Law School during a time in the school's history when graduating was not always how the story ended. You had to be exceptionally bright. You had to work exceptionally hard. He was one of two Hispanics in his class.

And yet, he'd wanted to go into his folks' auto repair and radiator business in Grants. His parents insisted he come to UNM. He'd been a pretty good player with the Grants Pirates, and hoped to become a Lobo walk on. When he found out he "barely came up to the other athletes' navels," he decided maybe not. But he'd impressed Coach Johnson who arranged for Joe to become a dorm advisor and athletics tutor, which paid his way through undergraduate and law school.

Joe is still a basketball fan. He's been cheering on the Lady Lobos since the time when there wasn't much to cheer about. Except, possibly the Lobo dogs, for which he'd bring his own chile.

Joe is known for his generosity. Art Melendres says Joe would give the shirt off his back to help those in need. For years he was a stalwart on the UNM Hospital Board of Trustees.

But Joe is known best for his one to one, personal gestures. As Michelle Hernandez says, Joe "makes everyone who's around him happier and better." He loves mentoring young lawyers, as he did Michelle, Art and many others.

Joe, you are a pioneer. You've shown it's possible to be a successful lawyer without conforming to the mold. Along the way, you've opened the path to creative and diverse leadership in our community. For your exceptional accomplishments, we are giving you our Erna S. Fergusson Award tonight.