Kelly Stout Sanchez

Maria Montoya Chavez is an attorney with Sutin, Thayer & Browne APC in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2018 for her work in Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law, Family Law Arbitration, and Family Law Mediation. This recognition is based on peer review by attorneys practicing in the same geographic and practice areas. Maria Montoya Chavez has practiced law since 2000 and focuses exclusively on family law matters, including divorce, child custody...

Laura Horton is committed to providing thoughtful and compassionate legal services. Laura strives to deliver excellence and client satisfaction. Laura began her career in accounting and finance and later, fueled by her passion for advocacy and the desire to make a difference, she attended law school in Oregon followed by a post-graduate fellowship with the government in Kosovo. Laura's current practice at her firm focuses on the intersection of adult guardianship, family law, and probate. She...

Peter Schoenburg is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Peter practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico Best Lawyers has recognized Peter Schoenburg since 1995. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Peter Schoenburg is held by...

Carey Bhalla is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Civil Rights Law and Criminal Defense: General Practice. Carey practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico Best Lawyers has recognized Carey Bhalla since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Carey Bhalla is held by other lawyers.

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...

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...

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 ...

Cherie LaCour is a trial lawyer practicing in communities across the state of New Mexico. Cherie has spent her entire legal career fighting for injured plaintiffs and considers it an honor and a privilege to help children and families obtain justice when they have been injured by wrongdoers. Cherie began her legal career, in a medical malpractice litigation firm working for clients with complex medical negligence claims. In 2006, Cherie joined her Partner, Lori Bencoe and established Bencoe &...

Betsy focuses her practice on appeals and complex briefing. She has handled appeals and dispositive briefing in state and federal courts in a wide range of areas, including torts, contracts, employment, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation. She enjoys analyzing complex issues on nearly any topic and translating them into simple, persuasive language. Betsy also serves as local counsel on appellate matters and frequently advises clients on appellate trends in New Mexico. She has...

Lisa K. Curtis is the founding partner of Curtis & Co. Law Firm, a social benefit corporation dedicated to exceptional advocacy and community service. During her more than 30-year legal career, Lisa has represented hundreds of New Mexico families in complex, high-stakes litigation and has earned numerous honors for her work, including induction into the New Mexico State Bar Hall of Fame in 2021. A lifelong New Mexican, Lisa grew up in Albuquerque, graduated from the University of New Mexi...