2015 is the third year that Keller & Keller has provided scholarship funds to first year UNM law students as part of their partnership with the Univeristy of New Mexico (UNM) School of Law. Each year, Keller & Keller makes available a total of $10,000 to three first-year UNM law students who express a strong desire to further their legal education.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Keller & Keller Law School Challenge!
(View the 2013 winners and 2014 winners here.)
Rachel Kelchner – $5000
Rachel Kelchner is a 25 year old student attending the University of New Mexico School of Law. She graduated with honors from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a minor in Anthropology. She ran Track and Field for UNM and earned the Mountain West Student Athlete award all four years while earning her undergraduate degree and working a part time job. She set a school record at UNM in Track and Field, and is a track coach and mentor in her community. Rachel has an interest in Contract Law and would like one day to practice in New Mexico.
Deian McBryde – $3000
Deian McBryde is a member of the Class of 2018 at the University of New Mexico School of Law. Deian grew up in Albuquerque but has travelled the world with an adventurous spirit, including time spent as a New York-based musician for which he was recognized with a Mable R. Dodge Fellowship to the Music Omi International Arts Center, two Australian Green Room Awards, and an inaugural Outmusic Award. Deian is also a veteran of the United States Air Force and an honor graduate from the USAF Non-Commissioned Officers Academy. Prior to attending law school, he held a variety of positions in project management, adult learning, organizational behavior, and organizational change management. As an attorney, he hopes to have a positive impact on individuals and organizations, and to be an inspiration to others returning to university to fulfill their lifelong dreams.
Christopher Pommier – $2000
Christopher Pommier is currently attending the University of New Mexico School of Law in the class of 2018. Before law school, he worked in diverse areas of law as a paralegal and legal assistant. In Minneapolis and San Francisco, he supported attorneys practicing in business immigration, eventually managing hundreds of nonimmigrant visa and PERM cases. In Santa Fe, New Mexico he supported solo attorneys in general practice and family law until he moved to a position with the State where he supported general counsels at the Children, Youth and Families Department.
He stays grounded by spending time with his family and friends, hiking, biking, running and practicing yoga. An avid reader, he normally enjoys news and feature articles and novels, but law school doesn’t allow any time for reading outside of required textbooks! He also finds travel to the mountains, and nearby hot springs, lakes and rivers to be rejuvenating.
Chris has been inspired by the challenging and fascinating process of studying the law, rather than merely working in it. During the next three years, he looks forward to learning more about Health Law and bioethics, as well as Indian Law. He is incredibly grateful to have received support from Keller and Keller, and he is proud to be on the journey toward entering the legal profession as an attorney.
