Ethics Advisory Risk Management

The New Mexico Rules of Professional Conduct, which regulate both the practice of law and the business of law, are quite complicated. The State Bar Ethics Advisory Opinions Committee answers ethics-related inquiries by New Mexico lawyers, helping them to interpret and apply these rules. If you find yourself in a situation where your proper course of conduct is unclear, you should first consult the Rules of Professional Conduct. If that doesn't resolve the question, you should check the archive of published ethics advisory opinions, which includes a topical index and summaries to help steer you to the relevant opinion(s). There's a very good chance that your question has already been asked and answered, and you may find the information you need there.

Click here for the published opinions available online. The attorneys who staff the Risk Management Hotline at 800-326-8155 will also discuss the New Mexico Rules of Professional Conduct and your ethical dilemma.

If you believe you have an original question and it involves your own conduct- not someone else's conduct- send your question in writing to the Office of the General Counsel via ethics@sbnm.org. The committee will discuss it and reply. When the committee feels a question addresses a novel issue of general interest to the bar, they will issue a formal published opinion.

Lawyers Professional Liability Committee
The State Bar does not endorse a professional liability insurance carrier or agency at this time. If you are looking for professional liability insurance, the State Bar's Lawyers Professional Liability and Insurance Committee provides a list of insurance carriers and brokers in New Mexico.

 

A free and completely confidential risk management consultation service is available to New Mexico attorneys via telephone or e-mail. Attorneys specializing in professional liability issues are available to discuss malpractice insurance coverage, risk management procedures, potential claims and claims repair, law office management, and ethical dilemmas. Call the Ethics Helpline at 1-800-326-8155.

 

The State Bar has sponsored free seminars for New Mexico attorneys and their support staff. The seminars are held in several locations around the state to provide continuing legal education in risk management issues and procedures. Seminars are usually held in the fall; dates and locations to be announced.

Professional Practice Program Helpline

If you have a question about the Rules of Professional Conduct or best practices generally, or one that involves your own conduct, and not someone else's conduct, as it pertains to the Rules of Professional Conduct or best practices, you may call the Professional Practice Program at (505) 797-6079 or email wslease@sbnm.org to discuss your question in confidence.