Jose R. Blanton

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...

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.

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...

Alex Walker has an active civil litigation practice representing business clients in all types of complex cases in both state and federal courts. He has substantial experience in defending personal injury and products liability cases, and regularly defends companies in litigation over medical device failures, prescription drug injuries, and other products-related litigation, as well as various other types of bodily injury and death claims. In addition, Alex frequently represents businesses in...

Chris Killion’s practice focuses on oil, gas, and mineral development, including issuing drilling, division order, and acquisition title opinions for oil and gas companies for properties in New Mexico and Texas, as well as representing those companies before regulatory bodies. Chris helps clients comply with state and federal regulations related to mineral development and represents clients in transactions involving purchase and sale of mineral rights. An Alabama native, Chris is licens...

Tina Muscarella Gooch is a shareholder at Sutin, Thayer & Browne APC and serves as one of the firm’s office group leaders in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has more than a decade of experience representing clients throughout New Mexico in a wide range of civil and commercial litigation matters. Her practice includes Cannabis Law, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Employment Law – Management, and Litigation – Construction. Ms. Gooch regularly represents businesses, i...

Richard L. Alvidrez is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental. Richard L., who practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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...

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 ...