Every one of us has been impacted by family law in some way. During this tumultuous time in people’s lives, we guide them toward solutions designed for their individual situations. I want my clients to understand that the Team and I are in their corner during every step of the process.  I feel like my greatest strengths are helping people find their voice, assisting them in planning for their future, and advocating for them to get there.

While I am a strong advocate for my clients, I also believe there is no need to be nasty to get your point across. In more than 28 years of practicing family law, I have found that approaching a matter with professionalism and respect makes a greater impact than acting like a bull in a china shop. Many of my referrals come from parties I have opposed in cases, and I think that proves the effectiveness of combining advocacy with respect and kindness.

I like to work directly with my clients and listen to what they need. As a seasoned family law attorney, I have heard and experienced many unique situations. I want my clients to know they can literally tell me anything and I will listen without judgment.  Sometimes, my role as their guide is to tell them news they don’t want to hear. But they deserve honest information so they can make informed decisions. That is part of the healing process.

Having experienced a divorce and co-parenting myself many years ago, I can empathize with my clients. It is truly something I would not wish on my worst enemy, but sometimes it is a necessary step in our journeys. I want my clients to know that they are not alone and that we will take care of them.  We will do our best to support them and educate them to be successful in reshaping their family and protecting their assets and their children.

We intentionally and mindfully built our Firm to operate as a Team. We openly discuss cases and brainstorm together. While we assign particular attorneys and paralegals to cases that fit their skill sets, we all collaborate to ensure clients get the best advice for their individual situations from a variety of mindsets.

My Bio

Born and raised in New Mexico, I grew up surrounded by a family business. My husband’s family also operates a small business.  In New Mexico, our small businesses are the backbone of our state.  This personal experience with family businesses allows me to understand the dynamics in family law cases that involve businesses and complex financial arrangements.

It was not in my path to remain with our family business as I grew up.  I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a lawyer to advocate for others. When I was 16, I started applying for jobs in law firms much to my parents’ chagrin.  I worked in legal practices in different areas of law throughout high school, college, and law school so I could learn as much as possible about what it really means to be a lawyer.

I narrowed my focus to family law as the best way to make a positive impact on people’s lives—especially children. Since then, I have only become more committed to serving people as they face some of their greatest challenges.  In my opinion, family law is the most difficult and the most rewarding area of law.

While I have many years of experience litigating family law matters, I am also a trained mediator and Collaborative practitioner.  I am a firm believer in resolving disputes through peaceful means whenever possible. These options offer more control of the outcome and a higher level of privacy for a family.  I prepare for alternative dispute resolution practices with as much tenacity as I do when I prepare for trial. 

A few of my qualifications and honors include:

• Diplomat with the American College of Family Trial Lawyers – limited to 100 people
• Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
• Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
• Collaborative Attorney since 2001
• Trained Mediator since 1993
• Trained Negotiator AAML/Harvard Law Negotiation Institute 2022
• New Mexico Board Certified Family Law Expert from 2004-2018 (program suspended by New Mexico Supreme Court 2018)
• National Board of Trial Advocacy Board Certified Advocate since 2023

To serve the legal community and keep abreast of developments in the field of family law, my volunteer activities include:

• American Bar Association, Member 1998 to present, Past-Chair of Family Law Section
• American Bar Foundation Life Fellow 2009 to present
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Member Board of Governors
• Association of Family and Conciliatory Courts
• New Mexico State Bar, Past Chair of Legal Specialization Commission
• New Mexico State Bar, Past Delegate to ABA House of Delegates
• International Association of Collaborative Practitioners
• NM Collaborative Practice Group, Board Member
• Leadership New Mexico, Life Fellow
• Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails, Life Member and Troop Leader

QUALIFICATIONS & AWARDS

• Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated 2011 to present
• Pre-Eminent Lawyer and Pe-Eminent Woman Lawyer, 2011 to present
• Martindale-Hubbell Top Rated Lawyers 2012 to present
• Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Law Firms, 2011 to present
• Southwest Super Lawyers 2010-present
• Top 25 Southwest Super Lawyers 2021 to present
• US News Lawyers Tier 1 Family Law Firm 2010 to present
• Best Lawyers in America 2006 to present
• Best Lawyers Best Family Lawyer multiple years
• Best  Lawyers Best Collaborative Lawyer multiple years

EDUCATION

• University of New Mexico – Bachelor of Arts Magna Cum Laude
• University of New Mexico Law School – Juris Doctorate

ADDITIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS

• State Bar of New Mexico Family Law Section – 1999 to present
• Albuquerque Bar Association – 2001 to present
• New Mexico Women’s Bar Association – 2001 to present
• Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System Advisory Committee Member for the Honoring Families Initiative
• Member Judicial Nominating Commission for 2nd Judicial District Court
• Frequent Speaker for ABA, AAML, State Bar of New Mexico
• Volunteer Settlement Facilitator for 2nd Judicial District Court