Rule 23-110. Commission on professionalism.

A. Purpose and duties. The purpose of the Commission on Professionalism is to (1) support the concept and principles of professionalism; (2) promote competence, civility, integrity, and respect for the rule of law, for other lawyers and the courts, for clients and the public, and fidelity to lawyers' roles as officers of the court and as problem solvers; (3) create and promote an awareness of professionalism by all members of the New Mexico bench and bar and reinforce the values of professionalism; (4) support the "Bridge the Gap: Transitioning into the Profession" mentorship program of the State Bar of New Mexico, which includes the following: (a) certifying and recommending mentors to the Supreme Court for appointment; (b) developing and implementing training materials for new mentors in accordance with the mentorship program guidelines; and (c) providing notice to the MCLE Board of a mentor’s appointment to the Bridge the Gap program and certifying completion of participation as a mentor for continuing legal education credit; (5) serve as the oversight and advisory commission for professionalism training, education and resources to support a catalyst for positive change; (6) uphold and support the definition of professionalism; and (7) serve as a forum for communication, support and collaboration among legal constituencies in New Mexico. B. Commission established; composition. There is established a Commission on Professionalism to be composed of members from the profession and the public as follows: three (3) judges; seventeen (17) lawyers; the Dean of the University of New Mexico School of Law; the president of the University of New Mexico School of Law Student Bar Association; one member representing the paralegal division; and one (1) public member. C. Appointment and terms. The voting members of the Commission on Professionalism shall be as follows: (1) Chief Justice of New Mexico Supreme Court, or designee; (2) Chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, or designee; (3) One (1) state district court judge appointed by the Supreme Court for a two (2) year term; (4) President of the Board of Bar Commissioners, or designee; (5) President of the New Mexico criminal defense lawyers association, or designee; (6) President of the New Mexico trial lawyers association, or designee; (7) President of the New Mexico defense lawyers association, or designee; (8) President of the New Mexico district attorneys association, or designee; (9) Chair of the young lawyers division of the State Bar of New Mexico, or designee; (10) Chair of the senior lawyers division of the State Bar of New Mexico, or designee; (11) Chair of the solo and small firm section of the State Bar of New Mexico, or designee; (12) President, or designee, of each of the following voluntary bar associations: Hispanic bar association; Indian bar association; black lawyers association; women's bar association; and New Mexico lesbian and gay lawyers association; (13) Chair of the minimum continuing legal education board, or designee; (14) Chair of the disciplinary board, or designee; (15) One (1) active status member of the state bar appointed by the president of the board of bar commissioners for a two (2) year term; (16) One (1) active status member of the state bar appointed by the New Mexico Supreme Court for a two (2) year term; (17) Chair of the paralegal division of the State Bar of New Mexico, or designee; (18) Dean of the University of New Mexico School of Law, or designee; (19) President of the University of New Mexico School of Law student bar association, or designee; (20) One (1) public member appointed by the president of the Board of Bar Commissioners, or an entity designated by the president, for a two (2) year term. D. Ex-officio non-voting members. The director of the Administrative Office of the Courts and the executive director of the State Bar of New Mexico shall serve as ex- officio members of the commission. E. Co-chairs. The chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court and the president of the Board of Bar Commissioners shall serve as co-chairs of the commission. F. Removal. Any appointed voting member of the commission may be removed as a member by majority vote of the members of the commission, for cause, including but not limited to, failure to attend to the duties and responsibilities of the commission or for non-attendance at three (3) consecutive meetings of the commission. G. Terms; quorum. Terms of voting members shall commence on January 1, and the length of term shall continue as provided by their position or otherwise stated in these rules. A quorum of the commission consists of nine (9) voting members, including the chair. A quorum includes any member who is present and voting in person, by telephone, videoconference or other electronic communication, A quorum shall be present and voting before any commission business may be adopted and recommended to the Board of Bar Commissioners, MCLE Board or New Mexico Supreme Court. The commission may, however, meet and discuss matters without a quorum present. H. Administration and staffing. The State Bar of New Mexico shall (1) administer to the commission and shall develop and approve the goals, duties, programs, budget, operation and staffing of the commission; and (2) provide an annual status and progress report to the New Mexico Supreme Court on the goals, programs, accomplishments and operation of the Commission on Professionalism. I. Review of policies. The Board of Bar Commissioners and the New Mexico Supreme Court shall review and approve all policies relating to the Commission on Professionalism.