N.M. R. Bar Adm. 15-202

As amended through November 1, 2024

Rule 15-202 - Admission by transferred Uniform Bar Examination score

A.Required qualifications. Every applicant for any method of licensure shall prove to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant possesses each of the following qualifications:

(1)Age. Is at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(2)Law degree. Is a graduate with a juris doctor or bachelor of laws and letters degree (but not only a masters of law degree) from a law school that is:

(a) formally accredited by the ABA; or

(b) not formally accredited by the ABA, in which event the applicant must also show admission to the practice of law in one or more other states for at least four (4) of the six (6) years immediately preceding submission of an application under these rules;

(3)Good standing. Is, for every state in which applicant has ever been admitted to practice law, in good standing, by providing a certificate to that effect from each state in which applicant has ever been licensed;

(4) Child support obligations. Is in compliance with all child support and spousal support obligations imposed under a "judgment and order for support" as defined in the Parental Responsibility Act, Sections 40-5A-1 to -13 NMSA 1978, or imposed under a child support or spousal support order entered by a court of any state. Any applicant who is subject to an order shall provide evidence acceptable to the board of compliance with all applicable child and spousal support orders. An applicant who has appeared on the State of New Mexico Human Services Department's certified list of obligors shall submit a certified statement from that department showing that the applicant is in compliance with the judgment and order for support; and

(5) Has read and is familiar with (a) the New Mexico Rules of Professional Conduct, including the succession planning requirements set forth in Rule 16-119 NMRA, (b) the New Mexico Rules Governing Discipline, including the trust accounting requirements set forth in Rule 17-204 NMRA, (c) the Creed of Professionalism of the State Bar of New Mexico, (d) the rules of the Supreme Court of New Mexico, and (e) the New Mexico statutes relating to the conduct of attorneys. Proof shall be made by submitting a signed certificate in a form prescribed by the board confirming compliance with this subparagraph, and that the applicant understands those items.

B. Citizenship or immigration status. Admission may not be denied solely on an applicant's citizenship or immigration status.

N.M. R. Bar Adm. 15-202

As amended by Supreme Court Order No. 13-8300-012, effective 5/14/2013; as amended by Supreme Court Order No. 15-8300-018, effective 11/1/2015; as amended by Supreme Court Order No. S-1-RCR-2023-00036, effective 12/31/2023.

Committee commentary. -

[1] The requirements of this rule are intended to assist the board in assessing whether an applicant has demonstrated:

(a) the ability to reason, recall complex factual information, and integrate that information with complex legal theories;

(b) the ability to communicate with clients, attorneys, courts, and others with a high degree of organization and clarity;

(d) the ability to conduct oneself with respect for and in accordance with the law;

(e) the ability to avoid acts that exhibit disregard for the rights, health, safety, and welfare of others;

(f) the ability to comply with the requirements of the Rules of Professional Conduct, applicable state, local, and federal laws, regulations, statutes, and any applicable order of a court or tribunal;

(g) the ability to act diligently and reliably in fulfilling one's obligations to clients, attorneys, courts, and others; and

(h) the ability to comply with deadlines and time constraints.

[2] See NMSA 1978, § 40-5A-10 (1997) (requirements specified in the Parental Responsibility Act).

[3] See Rules 23-101 to -115 NMRA (New Mexico Supreme Court General Rules).

[4] See NMSA 1978, §§ 36-1-1 to 36-3-10 (1863-1864, as amended through 2019) (New Mexico statutes relating to the conduct of attorneys).

[5] See the Creed of Professionalism of the State Bar of New Mexico.

[Adopted by Supreme Court Order No. S-1-RCR-2023-00036, effective December 31, 2023.]

ANNOTATIONS The 2015 amendment, approved by Supreme Court Order No. 15-8300-018, effective November 1, 2015, rewrote the rule to authorize an applicant who has taken the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) in another state to apply for admission to the New Mexico bar within thirty-six months of taking the UBE if the applicant meets the score required under the rule and otherwise meets all other requirements for admission to the New Mexico bar; in the heading, deleted "Place and times of examinations." and added the new language; and after the heading, deleted the entire language of the rule which read "The Board of Bar Examiners shall hold examinations for admission of applicants to the bar of this state at such times and places as the board may direct. Applicants who desire to do so may type the examination but will be required to furnish their own laptop computers. The MPRE may be taken anywhere in the United States, at the times and places designated by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.", and added the new language. The 2013 amendment, approved by Supreme Court Order No. 13-8300-012, effective May 14, 2013, deleted the former specification of the date when examinations were to commence; required applicants to furnish their own laptop computers; deleted the former specification of who may take the MPRE; in the first sentence, after "as the board may direct", deleted "commencing on the Monday before the last Wednesday in February and the Monday before the last Wednesday in July, unless otherwise announced'; in the second sentence, after "furnish their own", deleted "typewriters" and added "laptop computers"; deleted the former third sentence, which provided that all other supplies will be provided; and in the current third sentence, after "Bar Examiners", deleted "and may be taken by those in their last year of law school, as well as those who have already graduated".