SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) announce that Max De Azevedo has been named General Counsel for the Department.

De Azevedo succeeds Peter Ives, who retired Dec. 31, 2022 after more than a decade of public service in city and state government in Santa Fe.

“Please join us in wishing a fond farewell and hearty thank you to Peter for his outstanding service to the department as General Counsel,” NMDCA Cabinet Secretary Debra Garcia y Griego said. “While we will all miss Peter’s positive outlook, infectious laugh, and diligent legal analysis, our department is in great hands with Max onboard. I’m incredibly excited to work with him more in his new role!”

De Azevedo joined the Department in February 2021, serving as Deputy General Counsel since that time. Prior to his time at NMDCA, De Azevedo worked as the deputy director and general counsel for the State of New Mexico’s Cannabis Control Division, helping to meet the legal and operational needs of New Mexico’s new recreational cannabis industry.

Before that, he worked in the Office of the General Counsel at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) for more than five years, handling prosecution and management of LANL’s intellectual property across the laboratory’s vast array of technology areas. This included counseling and training of all levels of LANL staff and management on the proper marshalling, protection, and transaction of IP as well as serving to build and improve LANL’s overarching IP strategy and strategic portfolio augmentation.

“I’ve been fortunate to have many great opportunities throughout my career, but getting a chance to lead the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs’ legal team is truly one of a kind,” De Azevedo said. “I’m excited to get started!”

De Azevedo earned his Juris Doctor in intellectual property law from the University of New Mexico in 2012 and received the ABA Award for Excellence in the Study of Intellectual Property Law during his time at the school. In his spare time, he enjoys trail running, skiing, hiking, road and mountain biking, photography, and writing.

De Azevedo’s appointment was effective Jan. 1, 2023.

About the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs

Created in 1978 by the New Mexico Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) is New Mexico’s cultural steward, charged with preserving and showcasing the state’s cultural riches. With its eight museums, eight historic sites, arts, archaeology, historic preservation, and library programs, the DCA is one of the largest and most diverse state cultural agencies in the nation. Together, the facilities, programs, and services of the Department support a $5.6 billion cultural industry in New Mexico.