Liz Natal Tonigan

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...

Sarah M. Armstrong is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law. Sarah M., 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 Sarah M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kathleen (Kathy) Love, partner at New Mexico-based McGinn, Montoya, Love & Curry P.A., has practiced as an attorney for over two decades. She focuses on representing individuals against for-profit and government entities. Throughout her career as an attorney, she has tried a number of high-profile criminal and civil cases, most recently including the Torres v. APD case involving a police shooting incident. For her accomplishments, Kathy Love holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV-Preeminent rankin...

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...

Katie Curry is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Katie, who practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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...

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...

Joan Drake has assisted clients for over twenty years as a lawyer on utility regulation and environmental permitting matters. In utility matters, Joan represents clients on matters involving state and federal regulation of electric and gas utility rates and service, facility siting, wholesale and retail sales, utility acquisition, renewable energy and Qualifying Facilities ("QF"), electric transmission and interconnection, gas pipelines, power purchase and service agreements, and energy effic...

Jill K. Sweeney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Finance Law. Jill K., who practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been recognized since 2003. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jill K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.