Find a Lawyer or Free Legal Help in New Mexico
Official places in New Mexico to find a lawyer through the bar's referral service or to get free civil legal help if you have a low income. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar of New Mexico's Modest Means Helpline is a civil legal telephone helpline and pro bono referral service for New Mexico residents of modest means (up to 500% of federal poverty guidelines), created by the Access to Justice Commission, the State Bar and the New Mexico State Bar Foundation. Staff attorneys give legal advice by phone and, in limited cases, may refer the case to pro bono attorneys for advice or limited representation. Call 505-797-6013 or 888-857-9935 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. MT; voicemail any time). It does not handle criminal matters; people 55 or older are directed to the Bar Foundation's Legal Resources for the Elderly Program. |
|---|---|
| Free legal aid | New Mexico Legal Aid provides civil legal help to low-income New Mexicans. Call 1-833-LGL-HELP (1-833-545-4357) or apply online. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists New Mexico Legal Aid as the LSC-funded grantee in the state. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The State Bar of New Mexico publishes an Online Bar Directory on its For the Public pages for locating New Mexico lawyers. State Bar general contact: 505-797-6000 or 800-876-6227. |
| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The State Bar of New Mexico's Fee Arbitration Program is a free, voluntary, out-of-court way to resolve fee disputes; either the client or the attorney can request it, and if either declines, no arbitration takes place. Disputes of $1,000 to $25,000 go to a single arbitrator; above $25,000 either party may request three arbitrators. It does not cover unfavorable case outcomes, malpractice or misconduct damages claims, or fees already set by a court order, rule or decision. Email the signed, dated Petition for Fee Arbitration with supporting documents as one PDF to feearbitration@sbnm.org; the other side has 30 days to return a signed agreement. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | New Mexico's Client Protection Fund reimburses losses caused by dishonest conduct of lawyers licensed in New Mexico, arising from a client-lawyer or fiduciary relationship; not all losses are reimbursable. File within five years of when you knew or should have known of the dishonest conduct. The maximum claim is $50,000. Complete the claim form (signed and notarized) with proof of payment and relevant documents such as the fee agreement, and mail it to CPF Commission, 5121 Masthead St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, or email ClientProtectionFund@sbnm.org. |
Hiring a lawyer for a specific problem
- Hiring a Personal Injury or Car Accident Lawyer in New Mexico
- Hiring a Divorce or Family Lawyer in New Mexico
- Hiring a DUI Lawyer in New Mexico
- Hiring a Workers' Compensation Lawyer in New Mexico
- Hiring a Bankruptcy Lawyer in New Mexico
- Hiring a Wills, Trusts or Probate Lawyer in New Mexico
- Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer in New Mexico
- Hiring a Slip and Fall Lawyer in New Mexico
- Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer in New Mexico
- Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in New Mexico
- Hiring a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in New Mexico
- Hiring a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in New Mexico
- Hiring an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawyer in New Mexico
- Hiring a Construction Accident Lawyer in New Mexico
- Hiring a Wrongful Death Lawyer in New Mexico
Tenant lawyers, legal aid and housing help in New Mexico · All New Mexico law guides
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.