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...

Marc M. Lowry is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Marc M., 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 Marc M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Thomas R. Mack is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Thomas R., who practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Art Melendres concentrates his practice primarily in administrative, education, commercial and municipal finance law. For more than thirty-five years, clients have sought Art’s expertise when faced with disputes involving education, administrative law, commercial law or public financing. For more than twenty-five years, Art has served as general counsel for the Albuquerque Public Schools, a school district of more than 90,000 students and 11,000 employees. He regularly advises the Schoo...

Keith is a member of Butler Snow’s Labor and Employment Group.

Emma L. Whitley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Emma L., 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 Emma L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Meg Meister has served clients for over twenty-five years in the areas of real estate, business, commercial transactions and lending. She guides businesses through siting and re-locating facilities, completes sales and tax free exchanges, represents buyers and sellers in stock and asset transactions, assists with liquor license transfers, and negotiates and drafts leases and other real estate and business documents. Meg advises companies doing business on Indian lands and negotiates and struc...

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 ...

Charlotte Lamont’s practice consists of civil litigation with an emphasis on labor and employment law, and she is certified by the New Mexico Board of Specialization in employment and labor law. She has over 20 years of experience in representing employers in various employment issues, including claims of discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful discharge, as well as other employment-related matters. Her clients span a number of different industries, including manufacturing, banking, r...

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...