H. John Underwood

T.J. practices governmental affairs law, administrative law, environmental and natural resources litigation, and general commercial litigation. His experience includes a variety of legal matters including issues related mining, oil and gas, agriculture, water rights, water quality, energy, employment law and civil rights. T.J. serves as a lobbyist for clients on state and local issues, including activities dealing with drafting legislation, testifying before legislative committees, and develo...

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...

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

Stuart Butzier has assisted mining, energy, high-tech, industrial and ranching clients throughout his thirty-plus year legal career with Modrall Sperling. His counsel has included helping clients strategically navigate the maze of environmental and mining regulatory and permitting regimes, the morass of litigation, and the unique challenges of complex deals and real property transactions involving private, Federal, State, Indian and split-estate lands. Recognized in the area of Natural Resour...

Walter brings more than thirty-five years of experience providing representation, advice and counsel to businesses and individuals in their dealings with Indian tribes and public land management agencies, like the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and New Mexico State Land Office. Walter’s practice is focused on natural resources, energy and environmental law. Clients throughout the west and across the country seek Walter’s advice in matters involving transac...

James C. Brockmann is a board-certified water law specialist whose practice focuses on water law and related areas of water quality, water rights and utility law.Mr. Brockmann has worked in the Midwest and greater Southwest, with clients ranging from individual states and municipalities, to oil, gas and renewable-energy companies. His experience includes suits involving the apportionment of water from the North Platte River and upstream diversions of the Arkansas River, as well as Alamogordo&...

Elizabeth Ashton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Elizabeth, 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 Elizabeth is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

STEVAN DOUGLAS LOONEY practices primarily in the area of complex litigation, arbitration and mediation, including healthcare, business, personal injury, wrongful death, environmental, taxation, contract, civil rights, employment, real estate matters and healthcare litigation. Mr. Looney also has significant experience in construction litigation, healthcare and nursing homes litigation, shareholder and partner disputes, and lender liability issues. He has arbitrated and mediated commercial and...

Doug Vadnais has more than 30 years of transaction and litigation experience in diverse business matters, real estate, and the protection and exercise of creditors’ rights. He has represented the entire spectrum of clients from individuals to Fortune 500 companies, and brings to each a pragmatic, practical approach to problem solving, with the aim of effecting an efficient and advantageous resolution for the client. Clients include both buyers and sellers of commercial and residential r...

DEBORAH E. MANN is the head of the firm’s health law practice group, and practice group lead for its commercial group. Her practice includes counseling clients on health law and institutional and professional malpractice. She is particularly knowledgeable regarding HIPAA compliance and other confidentiality issues. She represents hospitals and physician groups being investigated by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the Office of Civil Rights for alleged HIPAA violation...