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Ethics Opinions/Risk Management

Ethics Advisory Committee Opinions

The Ethics Advisory Committee of the State Bar of New Mexico is a volunteer committee composed of New Mexico lawyers who practice in a variety of areas and are located geographically throughout the state. The committee issues two types of advisory opinions. Informal opinions are issued in response to specific inquires by attorneys admitted to practice in this state. Formal opinions are published for the membership as a whole, and provide general guidance which is more broadly relevant to more attorneys. The committee reviews each formal opinion issued by the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility.

The Mission of the Ethics Advisory Committee is to inform and advise inquiring New Mexico lawyers on the committee’s interpretation of the New Mexico Rules of Professional Conduct, (RPC), as applied to the Inquiring Lawyer’s (IL) duties via a non-binding written informal opinion which represents the consensus of the committee members who considered the request. Visit the Ethics Advisory Committee webpage.

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.

Submit an Ethics Question


Formal Opinions

View Formal Opinions Here


Ethics Helpline

A free and completely confidential service available to New Mexico attorneys to discuss issues related to the Rules of Professional Conduct, professional liability, and law practice management.  You can reach the Ethics Helpline at 1-800-326-8155.


Professional Liability Insurance

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.


Risk Management Seminars

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.