Leeann Werbelow

Brian K. Branch was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is a partner at Davis Kelin LLC , where he represents individuals and families in complex civil litigation throughout New Mexico. His practice focuses on serious injury and wrongful death claims , including cases involving medical negligence , defective products , professional negligence, and insurance bad faith . Mr. Branch has served as lead or co-lead counsel in more than 40 jury trials and over 75 non-jury trials. His cour...

Art Melendres concentrates his practice primarily in administrative, education, commercial and municipal finance law. For more than thirty-five years, clients have sought Art’s expertise when faced with disputes involving education, administrative law, commercial law or public financing. For more than twenty-five years, Art has served as general counsel for the Albuquerque Public Schools, a school district of more than 90,000 students and 11,000 employees. He regularly advises the Schoo...

Maria has practiced in the areas of Natural Resources, Environmental and Utility law for over twenty years. Her primary focus is on water resources, water quality, and related regulatory matters including National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) and Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) compliance. She represents clients from both the public and private sectors before the Office of the New Mexico State Engineer, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission federal agencies, ...

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...

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...

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...

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 &...

Stevan Douglas Looney is an attorney with Sutin, Thayer & Browne APC in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His practice focuses on complex litigation, arbitration, and mediation, with matters involving healthcare, business disputes, personal injury, wrongful death, environmental claims, taxation, contract issues, civil rights, employment, real estate, and healthcare litigation. Mr. Looney has extensive experience representing clients in construction-related disputes, making Litigation - Constructio...

Sarah M. Armstrong is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law. Sarah M. practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico Best Lawyers has recognized Sarah M. Armstrong 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 Sarah M. Armstrong is held by other lawyers.

Ron Holmes is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Ron practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico Best Lawyers has recognized Ron Holmes since 2025. 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 Ron Holmes is held by other lawyers.