Gerald R. "Jerry" Velarde

Alicia M. LaPado is a Senior Litigation Associate of the firm, with a practice that includes business litigation, general civil litigation, and criminal defense. Prior to becoming an associate, Ms. LaPado was employed by the firm as a law clerk where she provided support for complex civil and criminal matters, primarily in federal court. She also researched, drafted, and prepared briefs for submission in both state and federal court, as well as the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. LaPado o...

Donald F. Kochersberger is a Member of the firm and has been with BLSW since 2005. His practice emphasizes complex litigation matters, including shareholder, member and partner disputes, contracts, business tort, unfair practices, restrictive covenant and non-compete agreements, employee theft and misconduct cases, and customer and vendor disputes. Mr. Kochersberger has served as counsel for a number of local, regional and national companies, as well as individuals engaged in business dispute...

Timothy R. Briggs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Timothy R., who practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been recognized since 2003. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Carolyn M. Cammie Nichols is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Carolyn M. Cammie, who practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carolyn M. Cammie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mrs. Ramo was elected President of the American Bar Association in 1995-96, the first woman in history. Mrs. Ramo became the President of The American Law Institute in May 2008. Mrs. Ramo is a member of an ABA Commission reviewing the Rules of Professional Responsibility. The United States Senate appointed her to co-chair the committee to review the United States Olympic Committee. She serves on Panels for the American Arbitration Association, the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution's Nation...

JAY D. ROSENBLUM is a senior lawyer with Sutin, Thayer & Browne, one of New Mexico’s leading law firms. Jay served as President and CEO of the firm for eighteen years, from 2000 through 2017. Jay’s practice includes mergers and acquisitions, business design, estate planning, corporate work, succession planning and philanthropic legal matters. In 2017 the State Bar of New Mexico’s Business Law Section honored Jay as Business Lawyer of the Year, and in 2023 & 2024 Best...

Since 2004, Bruce E. Thompson has been helping injured people and their families by holding wrongdoers accountable for violations of federal and state law and other safety standards. Practicing since 2004, Bruce handles cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, construction accidents, brain injury, trucking accidents and sexual abuse in courtrooms throughout New Mexico. Bruce's entire practice is devoted to litigation. A member of the State Bar of New Mexico, the A...

Cliff Atkinson has practiced for more than 44 years in the areas of complex commercial and tort litigation in a broad spectrum of difficult cases. He, with his good friend and now retired colleague John Thal, founded the Firm in 1992 on the principle that a small, directed, hard hitting litigation firm can deliver the highest quality of personalized services to its clients. In his many years of practice, Cliff has litigated and tried cases to verdict, judgment, or other successful resolution ...

Jessica C. Roth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law. Jessica C., who practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jessica C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

For 28 years, Lisa has prosecuted negligent and reckless corporations, people, insurance companies and the government in civil cases for New Mexico's working families, dedicating her career to helping and protecting victims killed or permanently harmed because of the wrongful conduct of others. Lisa is primarily a malpractice trial lawyer. She graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1993, where she was distinguished with the Tort Scholar Award for her graduating class. Fo...