Rule 17-210 NMRA
Rule 17-210. Reciprocal discipline.
A. Discipline in another jurisdiction. Upon being disciplined, summarily
suspended, transferred to inactive status, or suspended due to incompetency,
incapacity, or disability, or resigning during the pendency of a disciplinary investigation
or proceeding in another jurisdiction, a lawyer admitted to practice in this state shall
immediately inform disciplinary counsel of this state. Upon receipt of such notification,
disciplinary counsel shall obtain a certificate of the disciplinary order, suspension,
transfer, or resignation from the other jurisdiction and may file it with the Disciplinary
Board and the Supreme Court along with a motion to impose reciprocal discipline.
B. Order of the Supreme Court. Upon receipt of a certificate that an attorney
admitted to practice in this state has been disciplined, summarily suspended,
transferred to disability inactive status, or suspended due to incompetency, incapacity,
or disability, or resigned during the pendency of a disciplinary investigation or
proceeding in another jurisdiction, and a motion by disciplinary counsel, the Supreme
Court may enter an order imposing the identical discipline or, in its discretion, may
(1)
modify the discipline upon motion of the respondent-attorney or
disciplinary counsel in accordance with Paragraph D of this rule; or
(2)
suspend the attorney pending investigation and the imposition of final
discipline in accordance with these rules.
C. Stay of discipline. In the event the discipline imposed in the other jurisdiction
has been stayed there, the entry of an order under the provisions of Paragraph B of this
rule may be deferred until such stay expires.
D. Modification of discipline. At the time the motion for discipline is filed or in
response to the motion, the Disciplinary Board or the respondent-attorney may move
the Supreme Court for an order modifying the reciprocal discipline upon the ground that
upon the face of the record upon which the discipline is predicated, it clearly appears
(1)
the procedure was so lacking in notice or opportunity to be heard as to
constitute a deprivation of due process;
(2)
there was such an infirmity of proof establishing the misconduct as to give
rise to the clear conviction that the Supreme Court could not accept as final the
conclusion on that subject;
(3)
the imposition of the same discipline by the Supreme Court would result in
grave injustice; or
(4)
the misconduct established has been held by the Supreme Court to
warrant substantially different or greater discipline.
E. Suspension. In the event the Supreme Court suspends the attorney who has
been disciplined, summarily suspended, transferred to disability inactive status, or
suspended due to incompetency, incapacity, or disability, or who has resigned during
the pendency of a disciplinary investigation or proceeding in another jurisdiction pending
imposition of final discipline, under the provisions of Paragraph B of this rule, the Court
shall issue an order requiring the attorney to show cause why the identical or other
discipline should not be imposed in this jurisdiction. The attorney's response to the order
to show cause shall be limited to the above-enumerated criteria as reflected in the
record of the proceeding resulting in the imposition of discipline in the foreign
jurisdiction.
F. Evidence of misconduct. In all other respects, a final adjudication in another
jurisdiction that an attorney has been guilty of misconduct shall establish conclusively
the misconduct for purposes of a disciplinary proceeding in this state.
G. Reinstatement. Except in the case of disbarment, in the event the Supreme
Court imposes discipline upon an attorney or places an attorney on disability inactive
status solely under the terms of this rule, upon proof by the attorney of reinstatement to
practice in the other jurisdiction that led to reciprocal discipline or disability inactive
status in this jurisdiction, the attorney may petition the Supreme Court to be reinstated
to practice. The attorney shall file with the petition a certified copy of all opinions and
orders reinstating the attorney to practice in the other jurisdiction, and serve a copy of
the petition and supporting documents upon disciplinary counsel. The attorney will
automatically be reinstated by order of the Supreme Court fourteen (14) days after
service of the petition upon disciplinary counsel unless, prior to the expiration of such
time, disciplinary counsel has filed with the Supreme Court written objections. If
objections are filed, the application shall be referred to the Disciplinary Board which
shall proceed to handle the matter under Rule 17-214(E) NMRA. In accordance with
Rule 17-214(A) NMRA, an attorney who has been reciprocally disbarred may not apply
for reinstatement regardless of whether the jurisdiction that led to the reciprocal
disbarment readmits the attorney.