Modrall Sperling

32 Best Lawyers awards

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Awarded Practice Areas

Municipal Law Public Finance Law

Biography

Chris Muirhead concentrates his practice in the area of public finance. For more than twenty years, numerous New Mexico municipalities and counties have relied on Chris for advice on their public financing matters such as general obligation bonds, gross receipts tax revenue bonds, utility system revenue bonds, special district financings, and economic development projects. He serves as general counsel and issuer’s counsel for the New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan Council, a state-wide issuer of conduit debt for New Mexico healthcare facilities.

Best Lawyers in America® named Chris 2016 “Lawyer of the Year” in Albuquerque in two areas of practice: Municipal Law and Public Finance Law. Chambers USA has recognized Chris in the area of Corporate/Commercial, and reported in 2017, he is a trusted and respected figure among clients, who note “he really immerses himself in our business, understanding what we do and why and contextualizing the excellent work that he does. This speaks volumes.” Additionally, Chris has achieved the AV® peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating possible.

Prior to joining the firm, Chris served as a law clerk to The Honorable James A. Parker, U.S. District Judge for the District of New Mexico. Chris is a Modrall Sperling shareholder, current Chair of the Public Finance Group, and has served as Head of the firm’s Transactions Department.

Modrall Sperling

32 Best Lawyers awards

Modrall Sperling logo

Overview

  • University of New Mexico, J.D., graduated 1993
  • University of New Mexico, BA, graduated 1988

  • New Mexico, State Bar of New Mexico
  • New Mexico, U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico
  • New Mexico, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

  • American Bar Association - Member
  • National Association of Bond Lawyers - Member
  • State Bar of New Mexico - Member

  • United States District Court
  • New Mexico, State Bar of New Mexico
  • New Mexico, U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico
  • New Mexico, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • National Association of Bond Lawyers - Member
  • State Bar of New Mexico - Member
  • University of New Mexico, J.D., graduated 1993
  • University of New Mexico, BA, graduated 1988
  • United States District Court

Client Testimonials

Mr. Muirhead is very knowledgeable concerning Public Finance and SEC Disclosure issues. He is very timely on providing the city bond disclosures documents. He works great with others. I love his sense of humor. He is always very professional and I enjoy working with him.

Cilia Aglialoro (City of Albuquerque)

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Public Finance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Public Finance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Municipal Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Public Finance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Municipal Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Public Finance Law, Albuquerque (2025)
  • Public Finance Law, Albuquerque (2023)
  • Municipal Law, Albuquerque (2016)
  • Public Finance Law, Albuquerque (2016)
  • Municipal Law, Albuquerque (2012)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Municipal Law
  • Public Finance Law
Special Focus:
  • Disclosure
  • Improvement Districts
  • Municipal
  • Project Finance
  • Securities
Awards:
  • Chambers USA Directories of America's Leading Lawyers in Business in Corporate/Commercial, 2009-present
  • Martindale-Hubbell AVĀ® Preeminent Peer Review Rated
  • Best Lawyers in America® in Municipal Law and Public Finance Law, 2009-present

Case History

Transactions
  • Bond Counsel, Disclosure Counsel and Underwriter's Counsel
  • Service as bond counsel, disclosure counsel and underwriter's counsel on numerous transactions for municipalities, counties, and school districts throughout New Mexico.
  • Public Finance
  • Traditional public financings including general obligation bonds, gross receipts tax revenue bonds, utility system revenue bonds and special district financings
  • New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan Council
  • General counsel and issuer's counsel for the New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan Council, a state-wide issuer of conduit debt for New Mexico healthcare facilities. In this capacity he has worked on financings for Presbyterian Hospital, Lovelace Medical Center, St. Vincent's Hospital, Rehoboth Hospital and San Juan Medical Center.

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