The professional conduct of attorneys is generally regulated by each state's rules of professional conduct—which are often written by the state's highest court, and enforced through the disciplinary process administered by the state's bar association. The professional conduct of attorneys is also referred to as legal ethics and professional responsibility.

Attorneys can be disciplined for a variety of reasons, ranging from the failure to pay their bar dues to misappropriating client funds. The grounds upon which an attorney may be disciplined by the state bar association are generally located in the state bar association's disciplinary rules of professional conduct.

Some attorneys who have been disciplined are no longer eligible to practice law. You should inquire about an attorney’s disciplinary history on the state bar association’s website, or by calling the state bar association.

You should not hire an attorney whose license is been suspended or revoked and who is not eligible to practice law in your state. Each state has a disciplinary organization that receives, investigates, and resolves ethics complaints against attorneys licensed in the state.

In New Mexico, the professional conduct of attorneys is regulated by the Rules of Professional Conduct as adopted by the New Mexico Supreme Court. These rules outline the ethical and professional responsibilities of attorneys practicing in the state. The New Mexico Disciplinary Board, an agency under the Supreme Court, along with the New Mexico State Bar, administers the disciplinary process. Attorneys may face discipline for various infractions, including but not limited to, non-payment of bar dues, misappropriation of client funds, or other ethical violations. The severity of the discipline can range from reprimand to disbarment, depending on the infraction. Individuals can check an attorney's disciplinary history through the New Mexico State Bar's website or by contacting the State Bar directly. It is important to ensure that any attorney you consider hiring is in good standing and eligible to practice law in New Mexico. Hiring an attorney who has been suspended or disbarred and is thus ineligible to practice is not advisable.