Vanessa L. Ray-Hodge

Jeffrey M. Croasdell 505.766.7563 jcroasdell@rodey.com Education University of New Mexico, (J.D., cum laude, 1993) University of California, San Diego, (B.A., Political Science, 1990) Mr. Croasdell is a Director in the Albuquerque office. He practices in the firm’s Litigation Department and is the Group Leader of the Products/General Liability practice group. Having litigated jury and non-jury cases at all levels of state and federal courts in New Mexico, he has significant trial experi...

Sonya Burke is a shareholder in the firm’s Litigation group, where she practices primarily in insurance coverage defense. She represents insurance companies and their insureds in a variety of contexts. Sonya represents professionals in professional liability matters, and has represented realtors, attorneys, and contractors. She also assists with construction and design cases, employment matters including EEOC investigations, and breach of contract litigation. Sonya has been recognized a...

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...

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

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...

Doug Vadnais has more than 30 years of transaction and litigation experience in diverse business matters, real estate, and the protection and exercise of creditors’ rights. He has represented the entire spectrum of clients from individuals to Fortune 500 companies, and brings to each a pragmatic, practical approach to problem solving, with the aim of effecting an efficient and advantageous resolution for the client. Clients include both buyers and sellers of commercial and residential r...

Carey Bhalla is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law and Criminal Defense: General Practice. Carey, 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 Carey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Zackeree Sean Kelin, a member of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma, is a founding partner of Davis Kelin LLC and practices as a personal injury attorney in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His work focuses on representing individuals and families in complex injury litigation, including Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. His practice also includes catastrophic injury claims, civil rights litigation, insurance bad faith cases, and matters involving Indian law. ...

Deborah E. Mann is the head of the health law practice group at Sutin, Thayer & Browne APC and also serves as practice group lead for the firm’s commercial group. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, her practice focuses on Health Care Law and Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants. She counsels health care organizations and professionals on regulatory compliance, institutional and professional malpractice matters, and risk management issues. Ms. Mann advises clients on HIPAA compl...

Lynn Slade serves clients’ needs addressing Federal Indian law and Native American law, energy, natural resources, environmental law, project development, complex litigation and transactions for over 30 years. In his Indian law practice, Lynn advises and counsels natural resource and energy developers, financial institutions, utilities, and other businesses in transactions and project development, including extensive involvement with renewable energy projects. He also leads litigation t...