A MESSAGE FROM YOUR
State Bar President Dear Members of the State Bar of New Mexico: As we enter the “new normal” brought upon us by the COVID-19 pandemic, I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy. Though we are all dealing with changes in our daily lives and professional existence, I want you to know that the State Bar of New Mexico continues to be engaged with our members, the judiciary and the public. With that said, I would like to provide you with an update regarding State Bar operations. Bar Center and Events Since mid-March, the Bar Center has been closed and all staff have been working remotely. With the exception of some initial event cancellations, most of the State Bar’s programs and services are still operating at full capacity. Staff and the Board of Bar Commissioners are currently working on a plan to reopen the Bar Center recognizing the limitations which will come with the evolving public health orders. In addition, in order to better engage members throughout the state and beyond, we have decided to incorporate virtual options for all events in the near future. Please refer to your email or visit www.nmbar.org/covid-19 for up to date information. Free On Demand CLE Opportunities Weeks ago, we were excited to announce that all of the State Bar’s On-Demand Self Study CLE courses are currently available free of charge. There has been a significant increase in the number of attorneys taking advantage of this benefit. The State Bar has also made all of its CLE courses planned for this year available remotely. Search live webinars, webcasts, replays, teleseminars, and self-study courses online at www.nmbar.org/cle. MCLE Requirements As a reminder, New Mexico has a flexible policy regarding distance learning in order to meet the MCLE credit requirement. It is possible for an attorney licensed in New Mexico to meet his/her full MCLE requirements entirely through on-line courses. Twelve hours of CLE credits are required annually; eight of those hours must be “live” while up to four hours may be in “self-study” format. In order to avail yourself of the online “live” credit option, the course must take place at a scheduled time with the ability to interact with a moderator in real-time. You do not need to be physically present for the CLE. By contrast, a self-study course is one which is pre-recorded, up to 5 years prior, and can be watched on-demand (at any hour, on any day). If you have questions regarding New Mexico’s MCLE requirements, please feel free to contact mcle@ nmbar.org. The State Bar wants to ensure that, in these difficult times, you find satisfying the MCLE requirements is not burdensome. As such, please take advantage of the State Bar’s CLE programming, to include the Free On Demand options. Annual Meeting Updates Earlier this spring, we made the necessary decision to cancel the 2020 Annual Meeting which was to be held in Santa Fe in conjunction with the state court’s Judicial Conclave. We are currently planning an event this fall which will serve as a “Member Appreciation” event and day long Annual Meeting. Please save the date for Friday, Sept. 25. This event will include free live (online based) continuing legal education, resources from sponsors and exhibitors, and awards recognition. We are busy finalizing the details and will provide additional information in the near future.
Bar Bulletin - June 10, 2020 - Volume 59, No. 11
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