New Mexico Attorney Complaints
Navigating New Mexico Disciplinary Board’s Complaint and Enforcement Procedures.
Our New Mexico Case Studies
Robert A. Skipworth
El Paso, TX (Licensed in NM)
Complaint: Unlawful Corporate Acts & Bad Faith Litigation
A complaint detailing complicity in unlawful corporate acts in New Mexico and filing a lawsuit without client authority.
Read the Full Case Study →The New Mexico Disciplinary Process: An Overview
The attorney disciplinary system in New Mexico is overseen by the Disciplinary Board of the New Mexico Supreme Court. The board, and its Office of Disciplinary Counsel, investigates allegations of unethical conduct against lawyers licensed to practice in the state.
Key Stages of a Complaint:
- Filing a Complaint: A person can file a complaint at no cost by completing an official form online, downloading a PDF to mail or email, or requesting a form by phone.
- Initial Review: Disciplinary Counsel reviews the complaint. If it does not allege a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct, it may be dismissed. If it does, the attorney is notified and required to respond.
- Investigation: Counsel conducts an investigation, which may include interviewing witnesses and reviewing documents. Based on the findings, the case may be dismissed, resolved with a private sanction (like an informal admonition), or proceed to formal charges.
- Formal Proceedings: For more serious violations, formal charges are filed. A hearing committee, typically composed of two lawyers and one non-lawyer, is appointed. The case becomes public record at this stage, and a hearing is scheduled.
- Supreme Court Review: The hearing committee's recommendation is reviewed by a panel of the Disciplinary Board. The Board's decision is then forwarded to the New Mexico Supreme Court, which has the ultimate authority to impose discipline, ranging from public censure to suspension or disbarment.