Legal Research and Writing

The Institute of Public Law (IPL) supports state and local government agencies and the judiciary by researching and writing on statutes, rules, and case law. With input from our clients, we produce legal memoranda and reports, practice manuals, and other legal documents needed to support this environment.

While we have developed expertise in the subject matter areas listed below through long-standing contractual relationships with certain government agencies, our experience and personnel enables us to apply our skills and knowledge to new issues.

For over 20 years, IPL has drafted new rules, revised existing rules, and completed recompilations of entire sets of rules for various state agencies. We not only provide research and drafting expertise, we also participate in the entire rulemaking process from issuing notices of rulemaking proceedings, to conducting and reporting on public hearings, to advising and drafting potential changes, to preparing and publishing the final products.

Legal Research and Writing Projects

Domestic Violence Benchbook
This resource manual for judges covers all civil and criminal aspects of domestic violence cases, including the dynamics of domestic violence, orders of protection, crimes, evidence and sentencing.
Visit the Domestic Violence Benchbook Website
Ethics for Judges Online Training
The Judicial Education Center's ethics exercises are designed to illustrate the principles contained in the New Mexico Code of Judicial Conduct.
Visit the Ethics for Judges Online Training Website
Legal Memoranda
IPL staff attorneys have conducted in-depth legal research and written memoranda to inform public officials on the legal implications of public policy options. These products include:

• Research for the Department of Environment on the extent of their authority to identify non-contagious sources of public health hazards.
• Measures that can be adopted by the Tourism Department to improve safety in off-highway motor vehicle usage.
• A report on financing of long term care for the Department of Aging and Long Term Services.

For the Governor's Commission on Health Coverage for New Mexicans, IPL attorneys analyzed and reported on the extent to which several proposed models for providing universal health coverage comply with federal and state law.

Magistrate Benchbook

Visit the Magistrate Benchbook Website
Municipal Benchbook

Visit the Municipal Benchbook Website
Rules
For state regulatory agencies, IPL produced complete revisions and recompilations of Motor Carrier rules, Public Utility rules, Title Insurance rules, and Insurance rules. We drafted original Ignition Interlock and DWI, Driver education, and Driving Safety School rules for the State Traffic Safety Bureau.
Statuatory Drafting
IPL analyzed the state Motor Vehicle Code for inconsistencies and duplications, and drafted proposed clarifying amendments for the Taxation and Revenue Department. IPL also researched and drafted revisions to the state Motor Carrier Act for the Public Regulation Commission.
Traffic Citations Benchbook
The purpose of the Traffic Citations Manual is to provide courts of limited jurisdiction with a comprehensive resource guide for handling all types of traffic citations cases, except for DWI cases. It is also available on the web. The web version has interactive tutorials on forms.
Visit the Traffic Citations Benchbook Website
Transportation Safety Laws and Summaries

Visit the Transportation Safety Laws and Summaries Website
Wildlife Law News Quarterly
The Wildlife Law News Quarterly has been in publication since 1993, providing summaries of the latest state, federal and international developments in wildlife case law, attorney general opinions, and important regulations and legislation. The Wildlife Law News Weekly Alerts provide news of the very latest developments in wildlife law and policy to a weekly subscriber listserv.
Visit the Wildlife Law News Quarterly Website
Wildlife Law Reports
In addition to newsletters, the CWL has co-produced reports such as:

• "State Endangered Species Acts: Past, Present and Future"
• "New Mexico's Natural Heritage Report: Recommendations on Steps Toward a Comprehensive Biodiversity Conservation Strategy"
• "Saving Biodiversity: A Status Report on State Laws, Policies and Programs."