Jill Collins

Vickie is a graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law, and earned her Masters of Law (LL.M.) in Taxation from New York University. Vickie grew up in Deming, New Mexico, and has been a trust and estate planning attorney in Albuquerque for almost thirty years. She is an ACTEC (American College of Trust and Estate Counsel) Fellow and is also a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. She was honored in the past to have been appointed by the Supreme Court of New Mexico to serve on the ...

Deana Bennett’s practice is focused on natural resource development on public and tribal lands. Deana’s experience includes permitting and environmental compliance efforts under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Clean Air Act (CAA), and other related federal statutes. She has worked on a number of utility matters, and her experience includes working with renewable resource developers with siting issues on public, tribal, state, and...

Brian Nichols’ practice is primarily in federal Indian law and litigation, including tribal courts, with focuses on energy, natural resources, transportation and employment. His experience includes: Lead counsel in trials in federal, state, and tribal courts. Lead negotiator in labor negotiations. Advising and negotiating for clients with tribal nations. Consulting with clients doing or considering business on or with tribal nations. Brian has advised clients including BHP Billiton, Uni...

Carey Bhalla is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law and Criminal Defense: General Practice. Carey, 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 Carey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

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.

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...

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...

Susan Miller’s primary areas of interest are in water resources and environmental law, as well as insurance, tort and personal injury litigation. Susan currently serves as Chair of the Natural Resources, Energy and Environment Department and is the past Chair of Modrall Sperling’s Water Law Practice Group. She brings over 20 years of experience providing representation, advice and counsel to businesses, industries, ranchers, farmers and individuals throughout New Mexico with respe...

Earl DeBrine concentrates his practice in oil and gas, railroad, product liability and commercial litigation. For over 30 years, he has represented major energy companies, railroads and manufacturers in lawsuits and negotiations ranging from preferential purchase rights and other disputes under joint operating agreements, environmental and title disputes to oilfield wrongful death claims. He also regularly advises oil and gas producers concerning development transactions and appears before th...