New Mexico Multijurisdictional Practice (MJP)

Rule 16-505 provides safe harbor provisions for legal practices that out-of-state attorneys may perform in New Mexico without engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. Rule 805 is not the ABA model rule granting more leeway for attorneys practicing in multiple jurisdictions but still applies to practices of attorneys licensed outside of New Mexico.

RULE 16-505 (Unauthorized Practice of Law; MJP Practice of Law)

Rule 16-505, particularly 16-505(E) and (F), allow active attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions who regularly practice law, and who are not disbarred or suspended from the practice of law, to practice in New Mexico on a temporary basis and to practice as house counsel.

New Mexico’s MJP Rule 16-505 is not the ABA Model Rule 5.5 but contains substantially similar provisions.

New Mexico MJP 16-505 Practice Generally

Rule 16-505 generally prohibits attorneys from practicing law in a jurisdiction in a way that would violate the regulation of the legal profession in that jurisdiction. Out-of-state attorneys cannot establish an office or other systematic and continuous presence in New Mexico for the practice of law and cannot represent or hold himself or herself out to the public as being admitted to practice in New Mexico.

Temporary Practice

The temporary practices include:

• Pro Hac Vice. Legal services that are undertaken in association with a lawyer who is admitted to practice in New Mexico and who actively participates in the matter. (16-505(E)(1)).

• Reasonable Expectation of Pro Hac Vice Admission. Legal services that are in or reasonably related to a pending or potential proceeding before a court, legislative body, administrative agency, or other tribunal in New Mexico or another jurisdiction, if the attorney is authorized by law or order to appear in such proceeding or reasonably expects to be so authorized. (16-505(E)(2)).

• ADR. Legal services that are in or reasonably related to a pending or potential arbitration, mediation, or other alternative dispute resolution proceeding in New Mexico or another jurisdiction. The services must arise out of or reasonably relate to the attorney’s practice in a jurisdiction where the attorney is admitted to practice and the services do not require New Mexico Pro Hac Vice admission.
  (16-505(E)(3)).

• Practice with a Reasonable Relation to the Attorney’s Home Jurisdiction Practice. Legal services that are not within paragraphs (E)(2) or (E)(3) and arise out of or are reasonably related to the attorney’s practice in a jurisdiction where the attorney is admitted. In transactions involving issues specific to New Mexico law, the lawyer must associate with New Mexico counsel. (16-505(E)(4)).

House Counsel

New Mexico does not offer specific rules related to house counsel practice. However, New Mexico’s MJP rule exempts house attorneys from the unauthorized practice of law.

• Attorneys may provide legal services to the attorney’s employer or its organizational affiliates so long as the services are not those for which the forum requires New Mexico Pro Hac Vice admission. (16-505(F)(1)).

Practice Authorized By Law

Attorneys may also render services in New Mexico authorized by New Mexico or federal law. (16-505(F)(2)).

RULE 16-805 (Disciplinary Authority)

New Mexico’s Rule 16-805 is not the ABA Model Rule 8.5. 16-805 states:

A lawyer admitted to practice in New Mexico is subject to the disciplinary authority of New Mexico regardless of where the lawyer’s conduct occurs. A lawyer not admitted in New Mexico is also subject to the disciplinary authority of New Mexico if the lawyer provides or offers to provide any legal services in New Mexico. A lawyer may be subject to the disciplinary authority of both New Mexico and another jurisdiction for the same conduct.
(16-805)