About Robert
Robert Richards is an attorney licensed to practice in New Mexico and New York. He has worked in both public and private settings and is known for steady, practical handling of guardianship matters. His career includes a significant stint in government that shaped his approach to client work.
In 2005 Richards served as General Counsel for the Office of Guardianship. In that role he handled legal oversight for the office, advised on statutory interpretation and procedural issues, and participated in court proceedings related to guardianship and protective appointments. The position placed him at the intersection of law and social services. It required translating complex statutes into workable policies and representing the office in contested matters.
That government experience fed into his later practice. Richards developed a practice that spans guardianship, probate and related civil proceedings. He regularly appears in hearings where questions of capacity, appointment of guardians or conservators, and the protection of vulnerable adults are at issue. Colleagues describe him as methodical in court and careful in file preparation. He favors clear pleadings and thorough records. Clients find the direct approach easier to follow when case details grow technical.
Richards has worked on both the litigation side and the advisory side of guardianship law. He has prepared petitions, drafted reports for court use and negotiated terms between family members and institutional stakeholders. The mix of administrative and courtroom work gave him a broad view of how courts apply guardianship law in practice. That perspective informs how he advises clients about risk, timing and likely outcomes.
In private practice Richards operates under his own name. He represents individual clients, families and occasionally public entities in matters arising out of guardianship and probate systems. His work often involves coordinating with social workers, medical professionals and court-appointed examiners. He emphasizes careful fact-gathering before making strategic recommendations.
As of 2026 Richards continues to practice law in New Mexico and New York. He spends most of his time on guardianship and probate matters and on cases that require navigating both court procedures and administrative rules.
