Lauren E. Riley

Stan Harris is a shareholder with Modrall Sperling and has twenty years of litigation experience. Stan practices in the areas of public lands, natural resources, and commercial litigation. He has advised clients at the judicial, administrative, and legislative levels on federal, state, and local issues. Stan has extensive experience in the representation of parties in their disputes involving cultural property, public lands, Indian lands, oil and gas industry, environmental infrastructure mat...

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...

Ron Holmes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Ron, who practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ron is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrew J. Simons began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge William W. Bivins of the New Mexico Court of Appeals from 1992 to 1993. He then joined Sutin, Thayer & Browne APC, where he continues to practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His work focuses on Litigation – Bankruptcy, with an emphasis on commercial litigation, creditors’ rights, consumer law, and real estate matters. Mr. Simons has represented clients in a wide range of state and federal litigation, including: (...

Katherine McKinney focuses her practice in public finance and concentrates on representing issuers and underwriters in revenue bond issues, general obligation bond issues, and special assessment district bonds. In her municipal finance practice, she drafts all requisite bond documentation for issuers including municipalities, counties, universities, and school districts throughout the debt issuance process and advises clients regarding federal tax and securities law issues and state law requi...

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...

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.

Peter Schoenburg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Peter, who practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been recognized since 1995. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Theresa Hacsi is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Theresa, 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 Theresa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. As a teenager, Theresa watched her father struggle with insurance companies from his hospice bed. Inst...