About Lisa Y.
Lisa Y — Schatz-Vance is a dedicated civil rights attorney based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She earned her Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 1997, following her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Parsons School of Design in 1992. Admitted to practice law in New Mexico, Lisa has spent over 25 years advocating for marginalized communities, particularly individuals with disabilities and those incarcerated. In 1998, Lisa began her legal career as a staff attorney with Disability Rights New Mexico. During her tenure, she focused on critical issues affecting both children and adults with mental disabilities.
Her work encompassed litigation related to behavioral health managed care, the rights of institutionalized persons, and the criminalization of individuals with mental illness. This foundational experience shaped her commitment to civil rights and laid the groundwork for her future endeavors. In 2001, Lisa received a prestigious National Association for Public Interest Law Equal Justice Fellowship — This opportunity allowed her to collaborate with the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law in Washington, D.C. There, she worked on initiatives aimed at addressing the criminalization of persons with mental illness, adding to her impact in the field.
Her efforts have consistently highlighted the need for reform and better treatment options for vulnerable populations. Lisa also served as Deputy General Counsel at the Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. In this role, she implemented innovative programs such as the Assisted Outpatient Treatment program and the Competency Project. These initiatives were designed to improve the legal and mental health outcomes for individuals navigating the court system. Currently, she practices at the Law Office of Matthew Vance, P.C., where she represents individuals in jails and prisons who have faced deprivations of their constitutional rights.
Her focus includes ensuring access to medical and mental health care, due process, and access to the courts. Throughout her career, Lisa has been recognized for her unwavering advocacy. The Albuquerque Human Rights Board honored her for her outstanding work on behalf of individuals with disabilities. Additionally, she has shared her knowledge as an Adjunct Professor at New York Law School, teaching courses on mental disability law and mental health issues in jails and prisons. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Lisa continues to champion the rights of those often overlooked, making significant contributions to the legal field in New Mexico and beyond.
