05/22/2026
Facilitator Five
Leon Howard - May 2026
As always, the comments and opinions of our Facilitators represent their personal opinions and not those of WILL the organization.
Leon Howard is a civil rights attorney and the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico. Raised in Albuquerque’s International District, Leon has spent more than fifteen years working to defend civil rights and liberties across the state through litigation, legislative advocacy, and community engagement.
A graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law, Leon has dedicated much of his career to addressing systemic inequities and protecting the constitutional rights of people whose voices are often underrepresented. His work has included civil rights litigation, criminal justice reform efforts, voting rights advocacy, and community education around constitutional freedoms.
In addition to his leadership at the ACLU of New Mexico, Leon has served as part-time faculty at the University of New Mexico, taught courses examining race, law, and social justice advocacy, and held leadership roles with organizations including the New Mexico Innocence & Justice Project and the New Mexico State Bar’s Committee on Diversity in the Legal Profession.
1. What would you like to share about your professional/personal history?
I’m a civil rights lawyer and currently serve as the Executive Director of the ACLU of New Mexico. My work has largely focused on protecting civil liberties through litigation, legislative advocacy, and community engagement. Over the years I’ve worked on issues ranging from voting rights to criminal justice reform and immigrant rights. Personally, I’m a husband and father, and much of what motivates me professionally comes from wanting to leave behind stronger, more accessible, and diverse institutions for the next generation.
2. How did you get interested in your topic for the class?
My interest really comes from doing this work day in and day out. Civil liberties and constitutional rights can sometimes feel abstract, but they become very real when you see how laws and policies affect people’s lives. Teaching or speaking about these topics is an opportunity to step back from the day to day legal work and talk about the broader story of how rights are protected, challenged, and expanded over time.
3. What brought you to WILL?
I first learned about WILL through Emily Pollom, who serves on the board of our organization and is a Silver City resident. She thought that participation in the program might be a good fit and well received by the community. After hearing about the program and its commitment to lifelong learning, I was excited about the opportunity to participate.
4. How about living in Silver City, what brought and keeps you here?
I don’t live in Silver City, but I love coming down whenever I have the chance. The landscape is stunning and the drive through the Gila is absolutely breathtaking. Beyond the scenery, what really stands out is the people. Silver City has a strong sense of community and curiosity that makes it a great place to have thoughtful conversations.
5. One little known fact about you?
A little known fact about me is that I’m a big sports fan and still keep up with fantasy football leagues with friends. For someone who spends most of their professional life thinking about policy and law, it’s a fun way to completely switch gears and engage in something purely competitive and entertaining.
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