N.M. R. Prof'l. Cond. 16-309
A lawyer representing a client before a legislative body or administrative agency in a non-adjudicative proceeding shall disclose that the appearance is in a representative capacity and shall conform to the provisions of Paragraphs A through C of Rule 16-303 NMRA, Paragraphs A through C of Rule 16-304 NMRA and Rule 16-305 NMRA of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
N.M. R. Prof'l. Cond. 16-309
Committee commentary. -
[1] In representation before bodies such as legislatures, municipal councils and executive and administrative agencies acting in a rule-making or policy-making capacity, lawyers present facts, formulate issues and advance argument in the matters under consideration. The decision-making body, like a court, should be able to rely on the integrity of the submissions made to it. A lawyer appearing before such a body must deal with it honestly and in conformity with applicable rules of procedure. See Paragraphs A through C of Rule 16-303 NMRA, Paragraphs A through C of Rule 16-304 NMRA and Rule 16-305 NMRA of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
[2] Lawyers have no exclusive right to appear before non-adjudicative bodies, as they do before a court. The requirements of this rule may therefore subject lawyers to regulations inapplicable to advocates who are not lawyers. However, legislatures and administrative agencies have a right to expect lawyers to deal with them as they deal with courts.
[3] This rule only applies when a lawyer represents a client in connection with an official hearing or meeting of a governmental agency or a legislative body to which the lawyer or the lawyer's client is presenting evidence or argument. It does not apply to representation of a client in a negotiation or other bilateral transaction with a governmental agency or in connection with an application for a license or other privilege or the client's compliance with generally applicable reporting requirements, such as the filing of income-tax returns. Nor does it apply to the representation of a client in connection with an investigation or examination of the client's affairs conducted by government investigators or examiners. Representation in such matters is governed by Rules 16-401 through 16-404 NMRA of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
[Adopted by Supreme Court Order No. 08-8300-029, effective November 3, 2008.]
.ANNOTATIONS The 2008 amendment, approved by Supreme Court Order No. 08-8300-029, effective November 3, 2008, added the reference in Paragraphs A through C of Rule 16-304 NMRA. Compiler's notes. - The old ABA Comment was replaced by the 2008 committee commentary.