Ray Pena McChristian, P.C.

Advice to law firm management: Hire attorneys who aren't disciplined by the State of New Mexico

Pros: None

Cons: BEFORE THE DISCIPLINARY BOARD OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO IN THE MATTER OF JEREMY SCHMEHL, ESQ. Disciplinary No. 2021-07-4498 An Attorney Licensed to Practice Law before the Courts of the State of New Mexico FORMAL REPRIMAND You are being issued this Formal Reprimand pursuant to a Conditional Agreement Admitting the Allegations and Consent to Discipline, which was approved by a Disciplinary Board Hearing Committee and a Disciplinary Board Panel. You were employed by the City of Albuquerque's legal department as an assistant City Attorney from August 6, 2016, to April 12, 2019. You served as lead counsel for the City in a high-profile federal court case which has a consent agreement. You advised the City on a wide range of matters related to the City's obligations pursuant to the consent agreement. On April 29 and May 4, 2021, you sent email correspondence to the presiding judge in the case (community members may submit letters), without the prior knowledge or consent of the City. The emails contain your personal opinions; criticisms of an individual who is tasked with monitoring compliance with the consent agreement; and are replete with references to your work while employed with the City. You thus conveyed the appearance that you were speaking on behalf of the City, which was decidedly not the case, requiring the City to take actions to disavow your communications. You have been forthright and cooperative in the disciplinary process and have expressed genuine remorse—all mitigating factors. We are confident that you have learned from the experience: a positive outcome of the disciplinary process. Your conduct violated Rule 16-106(A) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, by revealing information to the representation of a client without the client's informed consent. You are hereby formally reprimanded for these acts of misconduct pursuant to Rule 17-206(A)(5) of the Rules Governing Discipline. The formal reprimand will be filed with the Supreme Court in accordance with 17-206(D) and will remain part of your permanent records with the Disciplinary Board, where it may be revealed upon any inquiry to the Board concerning any discipline ever imposed against you. In addition, in accordance with Rule 17- 206(D), the entire text of this formal reprimand will be published in the State Bar of New Mexico Bar Bulletin. Dated January 21, 2022 The Disciplinary Board of the New Mexico Supreme Court Hon. Cynthia A. Fry (ret'd), Board Chair

Partners to Avoid and Why: Jeremy Schmehl

Current or former employee?: Current Employee

Job type: Full time