Michael L. Carrico

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...

Nicholas Hart is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Nicholas practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico Best Lawyers has recognized Nicholas Hart since 2027. 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 Nicholas Hart is held by other lawyers.

Donald F. Kochersberger is a Member of the firm and has been with BLSW since 2005. His practice emphasizes complex litigation matters, including shareholder, member and partner disputes, contracts, business tort, unfair practices, restrictive covenant and non-compete agreements, employee theft and misconduct cases, and customer and vendor disputes. Mr. Kochersberger has served as counsel for a number of local, regional and national companies, as well as individuals engaged in business dispute...

Charles B. Kraft is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Charles B. practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico Best Lawyers has recognized Charles B. Kraft 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 Charles B. Kraft is held by other lawyers.

Earl DeBrine concentrates his practice in oil and gas, railroad, product liability and commercial litigation. For over 30 years, he has represented major energy companies, railroads and manufacturers in lawsuits and negotiations ranging from preferential purchase rights and other disputes under joint operating agreements, environmental and title disputes to oilfield wrongful death claims. He also regularly advises oil and gas producers concerning development transactions and appears before th...

Nick Trost is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. He practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2027. This recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area, reflecting the professional regard in which Nick Trost is held by other lawyers. Nick has a deep understanding of how insurance companies operate. Before joining P...

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...

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...

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...

Matthew Rappaport is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Matthew practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew Rappaport since 2027. 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 M...