Petaca Lawyers

AV civil trial lawyer of 27 years. Employment & Whistleblower Litigation. Veteran New Mexico sexual harassment litigator. Serves “Time’s Up” as a member of the National Women’s Law Center Legal Network for Gender Equity, which manages the “Time’s Up” Legal Defense Fund. Former partner, with 10 years practice, in two national "Am Law 200" firms. Represents defendants and select plaintiffs. Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell in Labor and Employment, Litigation. Certified by the New Mexico Board of Legal Specialization (2005-2010, 2017-2021) and listed as a top Employment lawyer in New Mexico's Top Rated Lawyers, Southwest Super Lawyers,...

Michael Schwarz is sole practitioner in Santa Fe representing employees in employment matters. He also represents small employers in employment matters. He served as a consultative member on the Restatement (Third) of Employment Law, published in 2015 and currently serves on American Law Institutes of Principles of Government Ethics. He served on West Publishing Editorial Board.

Effective legal solutions often require more than just understanding “the big picture”. To prevail in the difficult, life-changing cases your advocate must take advantage of all the subtle nuances to make the winning difference. For many years now I have studied and put into practice the persuasive arts and communication skills needed to succeed in the jury trial. I pay attention to the details and take every case seriously. Diligence, common sense, sound judgment and knowledge of the law are all very important qualifications for any attorney. If you want proactive representation that is cost-effective and personally...

I work as a people's lawyer and represent persons with claims against insurance companies, corporations, and government agencies. Despite the rules of court that often work to conceal an insurance company's participation, I will not appear in any case where the settlement or judgment will be paid by an individual rather than the insurance company.

Mark Caruso and Caruso Law Offices only handle personal injury and wrongful death claims. This lets us focus our entire practice just on personal injury and wrongful death, and explains why we are so good at what we do. The majority of our new clients are referred to our firm by former clients, other attorneys who don't handle personal injury claims and insurance agents. A former insurance company attorney, Mark Caruso now works for victims with personal injuries and families suffering the wrongful death of their loved one to get the maximum amount possible from the insurance company. Mark...

Served as Judge Advocate in military overseas. New Mexico Public defender in 1980s handling death penalty trials. Private practice since then handling criminal defense cases from DUI and domestic violence to drug trafficking, sexual assault and murder cases in Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Espanola valley, Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico. Top rated by Martindale Hubbel lawyers.com, avvo.com and national organizations. Same day free consultation. Payment plan. 24 hour answering service. .

Guy W. Bluff has more than 40 years experience in the areas of complex commercial, business, and construction legal disputes. 35+ years as a seasoned trial lawyer, appearing before numerous State and Federal Courts, Arbitration Tribunals, Administrative Boards, and Courts of Appeal. He is licensed to practice in Arizona, Colorado, California, and New Mexico as well as numerous federal courts and courts of appeals. Since 1992, Mr. Bluff has been on the National Panel of Construction Neutrals for the American Arbitration Association and acts as a private Arbitrator and Mediator. As a business owner, systems designer, and general counsel for numerous...

Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Law Office of Matthew Vance, P.C., is a law firm committed to fighting for real people hurt or harmed by the careless or reckless conduct of others. It takes just a few seconds for an accident or incident to happen, but it can take years for a victim to recover from the physical and emotional harm suffered due to someone else’s careless or reckless conduct. A tragic sudden death or catastrophic injuries can result from avoidable accidents caused by negligence. Our firm fights for you - to hold the negligent and reckless...

Amber L. Weeks is a partner at Noble Vrapi and the manager of the Albuquerque, New Mexico, office. Ms. Weeks represents families and individuals in cases involving family petitions, green card applications, waivers, naturalization and citizenship, U Visas for victims of crimes, and other immigration matters. Ms. Weeks is proficient in Spanish.

Ms. Weeks is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and a highly sought-after speaker at national and regional conferences. Ms. Weeks has presented and written practice advisories regarding marriage-based immigration cases, naturalization, waivers, removal proceedings, and other topics. Ms. Weeks is the co-chair of the...

Olsi Vrapi is the managing partner of the firm and is based in the Albuquerque office. Mr. Vrapi represents individuals, families, and businesses in family and business visa petitions, green card applications, naturalization and citizenship, removal of conditions and green card renewals, H-1B visas, PERM applications, J-1 Conrad Physician Waivers, and other immigration matters. He also takes the government to federal court over delays and improper decisions. Mr. Vrapi is an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law. Mr. Vrapi is fluent in Spanish, Albanian, proficient in Italian, and has passable knowledge of French.

Mr. Vrapi graduated...

Carlos N. Martinez is the Managing Partner and co-owner of Legal Solutions of New Mexico, LLC, a full-service Cannabis law firm assisting business owners and entrepreneurs navigate through New Mexico's medical and recreational cannabis industry. Carlos is also Managing Partner of Cannabis Law Solutions, a national cannabis law firm focused on the areas of risk management, licensing, mergers and acquisitions, cannabis consulting and overall general counsel. Carlos is also a trial litigator that assists clients in Family Law in the areas of divorce, child custody, kinship guardianship, grandparent visitation, domestic violence, prenuptial agreements and child support issues. Carlos founded the...

I'm a smart, hard-working, honest lawyer who is fearless in court. I accept cases across New Mexico.

I'm a native New Mexican, a military veteran, and a devoted husband and father.

I've served as an attorney for the New Mexico Supreme Court, as a prosecutor prosecuting violent felony crimes, and as a civil attorney in one of the most prestigious plaintiff's firms in the country.

I look at cases from all angles and prepare every case as if I expect it to go to trial. As a result, judges and insurance companies take me seriously and treat my clients well.

A native of Roswell, New Mexico, McKenzie St. Denis refuses to confess to her alien roots, but we know they exist.

Mrs. St. Denis, has an eclectic legal career ranging from being a prosecutor for the New Mexico Medical Board to representing parents in abuse and neglect cases. Include securing Medicaid benefits, water law, business litigation, and asylum law and you have a glimpse of what Mrs. St. Denis’ legal career has been, thus far.

Mrs. St. Denis, began her legal career in California, but returned to the Land of Enchantment to be closer to her family (and to be...

I have been practicing law since 1987 and have participated in dozens of trials and settlements resulting in million dollar recoveries for many of our consumer law clients, including in the areas of consumer credit, mortgage loan servicing, debt collection and credit reporting. I provide training to lawyers across the country in the area of consumer law and trial skills training. My partner, Luke Wallace, and I are dedicated to fully understanding the truth of our client’s story and to sharing this truth with the jury. Our results speak for themselves. We have earned a reputation...

Jessica Eaves Mathews, founder of Leverage Legal Group®, is passionate about providing exceptional, flat-fee trademark registration services to clients in all 50 states. She has been doing trademark legal work for clients since 2008, and has been a business lawyer for over 28 years. She is licensed in Washington and New Mexico, and is admitted in front of the United States Patent and Trademark Office for her trademark work for clients nationwide and around the world. Jessica represents businesses and business owners, from solopreneurs, to mom and pop stores & restaurants, to professional service-providers, to Fortune 500 companies and some of...

HARASSMENT OR DISCRIMINATION AT WORK. WRONGFUL DISCHARGE. WORKERS COMPENSATION.
Workplace law is tricky and the consequences of not following the law are serious. I represent individuals who have been harmed, either due to wrongful employer practices or accidents. If you have suffered from discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, or a workplace injury, you need a strong lawyer on your side.

CAR ACCIDENTS, WRONGFUL DEATH. PERSONAL INJURY.
The types of injuries I deal with can create a ripple effect that changes everything for a whole family in an instant. I understand and have over two decades of experience fighting these fights. ...

Steven G. Farber is AV Rated in the distinguished Martindale Hubbell Law Directory (lawyer survey) for more than 35 years. He is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and the National Trial Lawyers top 100 attorneys in NM (Civil and and formerly Criminal as well). He was selected for a lifetime achievement award from America's Top 100 Attorneys (NM). In traumatic brain and personal injury, wrongful death, and civil cases Mr. Farber vigorously pursues full compensation for the full amount of the harm suffered. Effective advocacy, thorough preparation, and professional dedication to his clients are hallmarks of...

Nephi Hardman has represented clients in hundreds of bankruptcy cases, including as debtor’s counsel in chapter 7s, chapter 13s, and a number of major chapter 11 reorganizations.

He has also represented appellants in several foreclosure cases before the New Mexico Court of Appeals and the New Mexico Supreme Court.

While in law school, Nephi convinced the BYU Law Review to publish his musings on arbitration awards in an environment of compulsory unionism. He used lots of footnotes and semicolons and other arcane devices, and to this day, doctors regularly prescribe his paper as a sleep-aid.

In 2019, SuperLawyers identified Mr. Hardman as a...

Ms. Coleman focuses her practice on the Northern New Mexico and Albuquerque areas. She is laser focused on her hand-picked clients' cases and does run a volume practice. Her reviews online reflect tenacity and unprecedented client attentiveness. Ms. Coleman clerked for a national law firm throughout law school, where she focused on civil litigation for their Los Angeles and New York offices. She received a merit scholarship at UC Berkeley and Southwestern Law School. She then worked at a firm specializing in Civil Litigation for nearly six years focusing on the areas of Personal Injury, Family Law, Divorce, Probates, Contested...

Former Navy pilot focusing on aviation accident and helicopter crash litigation. We handle everything from commercial airline crashes, such as Asiana 214, to military aircraft accidents to small plane and helicopter crashes.

Brady C. Pofahl is a lifelong resident of New Mexico who represents New Mexicans throughout the State with their personal injury claims.
After High School, he attended the University of New Mexico where he attained his undergraduate degree with honors. Following his degree, his desire to help others led him to attend the University Of New Mexico School Of Law. Mr. Pofahl was an editor with the NM Law Review and published a law review article. In 1998, he graduated with honors.
For two years, Mr. Pofahl practiced insurance defense law and then began representing victims of negligence through Personal Injury...

Mr. Boyle bring 35 years of experience to diverse civil litigation with a focus on high-conflict domestic cases including divorce, child custody, child support, and related issues. Mr. Boyle also acts as the virtual general counsel for several small and start-up companies and is well positioned to provide comprehensive general counsel services from corporate formation through contracts and transactions to mergers and acquisitions.

Thomas Banner has extensive experience representing both public and private sector interests in litigation before judges, juries and administrative tribunals throughout New Mexico. For roughly half of his career, Mr. Banner represented the people of New Mexico as a government attorney: he served first as an Assistant District Attorney prosecuting criminal cases; he went on to advocate for the public's interests in utility and insurance rate-making proceedings; most recently, he served as prosecutor for the New Mexico Medical Board in licensing and disciplinary cases. Now in private practice, Mr. Banner is continuing his successful litigation practice while also offering counseling and advice...

Jill Douthett is an AV-rated attorney who moved to New Mexico after 20 years of practicing law in Philadelphia, where she handled class action antitrust and securities fraud litigation, labor and employment, construction matters and insurance coverage claims for a variety of Fortune 500 companies and the City of Philadelphia. Her practice now concentrates on business law and litigation; business formations and corporate governance; franchising, distribution and licensing agreements; commercial leasing and real estate; venture capital and other investment agreements; and assisting clients who are buying or selling businesses. She received her J.D. from the University of Virginia and...

A graduate from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Josh has previous experience working as a defense attorney for one of the nation's largest auto insurance companies. Josh has also worked in law enforcement for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Josh wanted to help those that needed help the most, he left the insurance world to focus on helping his clients one person at a time.

Justin R. Kaufman is a partner and manages the Santa Fe, New Mexico office of Heard Robins Cloud LLP. Mr. Kaufman received his B.A. from Cornell University’s College of Arts and Sciences in 1998. In 2004, he received his J.D., cum laude, from Temple University School of Law, where he served as an editor of the Temple Law Review. Mr. Kaufman also holds an M.B.A. from Temple University’s Fox School of Business. From 2004 to 2005, Mr. Kaufman served as Law Clerk to the Hon. Herbert J. Hutton of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Mr....

Dominguez Law is a respected and powerful resource in the legal community. Our managing partner, attorney Paul M. Dominguez, has multifaceted legal experience and a mastery of advanced technology. He is 100 percent devoted to litigation and never wavers in the face of corporate or government power.

In addition to his exceptional results in a multitude of personal injury and mass tort cases, attorney Dominguez is active in the legal community, belonging to the State Bar of New Mexico, Albuquerque Bar Association, New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association, American Association of Justice and State Bar of Texas.

Our practice is always about people....

Michael grew up in San Antonio, Texas. Michael was awarded his Bachelor’s Degree from Trinity University with an emphasis in teaching political science. Out of college he began teaching at a Montessori School in San Antonio. While teaching in San Antonio he attained his Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology. This background translates seamlessly into the legal world.

Michael met his wife Heather in San Antonio, who was from Albuquerque, and he followed her home. Once he moved to Albuquerque, Michael taught Humanities at Amy Biehl High School. While at Amy Biehl Michael was the first teacher from New Mexico selected for...

At Stern Law, Slate J. Stern represents clients in personal injury and business litigation issues. Mr. Stern has called New Mexico home for more than two decades. In that time, he has successfully held negligent parties accountable for a client's losses and helped business owners protect and grow their enterprises.

Mr. Stern's practice areas are comprehensive. He has obtained six- and seven-figure awards for people who have suffered incidents that include trucking accidents, brain injuries, medical malpractice and explosions. When it comes to business law, he represents clients in partnership disputes, insurance matters, real estate disputes, business torts, and breaches of...

I am a third generation attorney with experience in working at my family's law firm and then branching out to own a commercial enterprise in New York, then expanding on my business and legal experience to become a founding member of three law firms and several holding companies. I have been a board of directors' member as well as officer of several profit and not for profit corporations, LLC's and LP's involving real estate, grandparents rights, family law and commercial/residential entities. As a practicing attorney, my professional emphasis has been family law, civil litigation, real estate, estate planning, and...

Scott Weaver represents clients at federal Immigration Courts and before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Mr. Weaver is an expert on asylum law, and he has successfully represented asylum seekers in courts across the United States. Mr. Weaver also has extensive experience in removal defense, and family-based immigration. Mr. Weaver is a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Leslie D. Maxwell was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and practices primarily in bankruptcy and commercial law at Walker & Associates, P.C. She received her B.A. in Anthropology from Emory University in 2003 and her Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2006. At UNM, she was a judicial extern for the Hon. James S. Starzynski, former Bankruptcy Judge for the District of New Mexico. Except for a brief stint in insurance defense litigation, Ms. Maxwell has practiced primarily in bankruptcy law since 2006. Ms. Maxwell is a member...