Professionalism Tip

With respect to the public and to other persons involved in the legal system: I will willingly participate in the disciplinary process.

html, or emailed to you by contacting the Judicial Selection Office at akin@law.unm. edu. The deadline for applications has been set for April 17 by 5 p.m. (MT). Applications received after that date and time will not be considered. The Fifth Judicial District Court Nominating Commission will meet beginning at 10 a.m. (MT) on May 8 to interview applicants for the position at the Lea County District Court located at 100 N. Love St., Lovington, N.M. 88260, to evaluate the applicants for this position. The Commission meeting is open to the public, and members of the public who wish to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to be heard.

Eleventh Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission Announcement of Candidates

The Eleventh Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission reconvened in Gallup, New Mexico on March 27 to interview additional applicants for the position in the Eleventh Judicial District Court due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Robert Aragon, effective Jan. 31. The Commission recommends two additional candidates to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, including John Bernitz and Levon Henry.

U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico Notice of Judicial Appointment

Judge Damian L. Martínez has been appointed as a United States Magistrate Judge, effective March 10. Judge Martinez's duty station will be in Las Cruces, N.M., and there will be a formal investiture ceremony at the U.S. Courthouse in Las Cruces in the coming weeks.

state Bar News Access to Justice Fund Grand Commission Request for Proposals Open

The Access to Justice Fund Grant Commission announces the 2023-2024 Request for Proposals. If your organization intends to apply for an Access to Justice Fund Grant, send an email to Donna Smith at donna.

smith@sbnm.org and provide a statement of intent to apply, the organization contact person and his/her email, telephone number and mailing address. Donna will respond by email acknowledging receipt of the intent to apply and provide the application materials. Upon notification of a statement of intent to apply, prospective applicants will receive application materials and any further instructions, copies of all of the questions asked by potential applicants and the question responses. Submitting an "Intent to Apply" does not obligate your organization to submit an application, but you should notify Donna by email if you decide not to apply. Proposals are due by April 17.

Board of Bar Commissioners Appointment to DNA - People's Legal Services, Inc. Board

The Board of Bar Commissioners will make one appointment to the DNA –People’s Legal Services, Inc., Board for a four-year term. Attorneys licensed in New Mexico who wish to serve on the board should send a letter of interest and brief resume by May 1 to bbc@sbnm.org.

Appointment of Young Lawyer Delegate to American Bar Association House of Delegates

Pursuant to the American Bar Association Constitution and Bylaws (Rules of the Procedure House of Delegates) Article 6, Section 6.4, the Board of Bar Commissioners will make one appointment of a young lawyer delegate to the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates for a two-year term, which will expire at the conclusion of the 2025 ABA Annual Meeting. Members wishing to serve as the young lawyer delegate to the ABA HOD must have been admitted to his or her first bar within the last five years or be less than 36 years old at the beginning of the term; they must also be a licensed New Mexico attorney and a current ABA member in good standing throughout the tenure as a delegate and be willing to attend meetings or otherwise complete his/her term and responsibilities without reimbursement or compensation from the State Bar; however, the ABA provides reimbursement for expenses to attend the ABA mid-year meeting. Qualified candidates should send a letter of interest and brief resume by May 31 to bbc@sbnm. org.

Board of Bar Commissioners Meeting Summary

The Board of Bar Commissioners of the State Bar of New Mexico met on Feb. 24 at the State Bar Center in Albuquerque, N.M. Action taken at the meeting follows:

• Approved the Dec. 14, 2022 meeting minutes;

• NM Supreme Court Justice Briana Zamora conducted the swearingin of President-Elect Erinna M. “Erin” Atkins, who was unable to be sworn-in in December, and the new commissioners as follows: Rosenda Chavez-Lara - Third and Sixth Judicial Districts, Damon J. Hudson - Young Lawyers Division Chair, Jessica A. Perez and Simone M. Seiler - Seventh and Thirteenth Judicial Districts, and Steven S. Scholl - Second Judicial District;

• Received a report on the Executive Committee and Senior Staff Retreat held on Jan. 27; the committee discussed the Client Protection Fund Commission’s request regarding random audits of trust accounts and will be obtaining more information from the CPF Commission and the Disciplinary Board;

• Reappointed Kyle Harwood to the Legal Specialization Commission for a threeyear term;

• Appointed Howard Thomas as chair of the State Bar’s Medical Review Committee;

• Approved applications from the New Mexico Legal Aid VAP and the NM State Bar Foundation Legal Resources for the Elderly Program and the Modest Means Helpline for Accredited Provider Status to Award Self Study Credit under Rule 18-204(C)(1) NMRA for pro bono work;

• Received a report from the Executive Committee as follows: approved the agenda for the meeting; appointed Carolyn A. Wolf as the liaison to the UJI Civil Committee and Rosenda Chavez-Lara as the liaison to the Children’s Court Rules Committee; and reviewed a request from Attorney General Raul Torrez to provide FEMA assistance to people in northern New Mexico affected by the Hermit’s Peak/ Calf Canyon Fires;

• Received a report from the Finance Committee, which included: 1) acceptance of the 2022 Year-end Financials; 2) approved reimbursement for CLE provided to members in 2022 for the Annual Meeting and two free CLE programs in the amount of $135,000 to the NM State Bar Foundation; 3) reviewed the Finance Committee Policy/Mission and approved the Annual Recurring Electronic Credit Card Payments; received 2022 Year-End Financials for the Client Protection Fund, Access to Justice Fund and Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program; and 4) received an update on the audit which will be presented at the May 12th Finance Committee meeting to the Audit Committees of the State Bar and the Bar Foundation;

• Received a report from the Policy and Bylaws Committee; the committee reviewed the new procedures of NM Legal Aid for filling vacancies on their board and approved giving deference to the organization to which the Board is making appointments and to include all applicants and supporting materials for the Board’s review; and a policy will be developed for all appointments that the Board makes to organizations;

• Received a report on the Bar Leader Recruitment Committee;

• Received an update on the Elder Law Section;

• Received the 2022 Annual Reports for the Sections and Standing Committees;

• Received a reminder/update on the Professional Practice Program 2023 Roadshow, which will be visiting outlying areas to meet with members and provide resources and information on the PPG;

• Received reports from the President, NM State Bar Foundation President and Executive Director, which included a demonstration on the State Bar Demographics, which members will be able to access on the website and view current data; and

• Received reports from the Senior Lawyers, Young Lawyers, and Paralegal Divisions and bar commissioner districts, as well as the State Bar’s representative to the ABA House of Delegates.

Note: The minutes in their entirety will be available on the State Bar’s website following approval by the Board at the Feb. 24th meeting.

Equity in Justice Program

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