Class Notes

2010

Angela Chávez Adkins joined the Albuquerque law firm of Rugge, Rosales & Associates in 2010. She focuses her practice on family law, estate planning, civil rights and employment law. Prior to law school, at all levels of government, she assisted elected officials with legislative issues and rapid media response. During law school, she was a legal clerk for the State of New Mexico Risk Management Division and headed her own political consulting firm.

Jennifer Anderson became an associate in the Albuquerque office of Lewis and Roca in 2010. She practices in the firm’s environmental and natural resources practice group.

Tom Bunting and Erica Gonzales became associates in the Albuquerque office of Miller Stratvert in 2010. Bunting focuses his practice on civil litigation and Gonzales concentrates on workers’ compensation, civil litigation and professional liability.

Matthew Jones and Scott Stromberg joined Butt, Thornton & Baehr in 2010. Jones practices in the areas of general litigation, business and commercial litigation, sports and recreation litigation and workers’ compensation. Stromberg practices in the areas of general liability litigation and trucking and transportation litigation.

Joseph Romero joined the law firm of Allen, Shepherd, Lewis, Syra & Chapman in May 2011. He practiced at an Albuquerque insurance defense firm prior to joining the Allen Shepherd firm. Romero worked as a paralegal and office manager for a solo practitioner primarily in the areas of criminal defense, personal injury and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 litigation before heading off to law school. He has served as a member of the New Mexico Air National Guard since February 1998.

Matthew Sanchez became an associate with Sheehan & Sheehan in 2010. He focuses his practice in the areas of general commercial litigation, construction, employment and insurance. Prior to law school, he worked in construction and commercial real estate.

Shannon Sherrell in 2011became an associate with the Rodey Law Firm, where she focuses her practice on products and general liability litigation. Prior to joining the firm, she clerked for U.S. District Judge James O. Browning of the District of New Mexico.

Jordyn Whisenant became an associate with the Eaton Law Office in Albuquerque in 2010. She practices in the areas of personal injury litigation and insurance coverage.

Chad Yazzie has completed an LL.M program in Switzerland. His thesis was titled, “International Tribal Finance: A Domestic Assessment of Tribal Finance and a Proposal for Globalized Bond Financing.” In early 2012, he was working in renewable energy practice with the Reznick Group, based in Washington, D.C., but was planning to move to New York City in March. His Switzerland experienced was highlighted in Chad Yazzie: Immersed in Global Business Law, an article on the UNM School of Law website.

2011

Sebastian Dunlap, Corinne Hale, Rachel Pascetti and Jennifer Salazar joined the Albuquerque firm of Allen, Shepherd, Lewis, Syra & Chapman in fall 2011. Dunlap focuses his practice on medical malpractice, construction defect, worker's compensation and personal injury. Hale focuses her practice on insurance defense, commercial litigation and worker's compensation. Pascetti focuses her practice on insurance defense, worker's compensation and general liability. Salazar focuses her practice on insurance defense and general litigation.

Jennifer Duprez in 2011 became an associate with the Rodey Law Firm, where she focuses her practice on labor and employment law. She brings years of financial experience to her practice, including working at Citibank and Fidelity Investments in financial and retirement planning.

Heather Hansen became an associate with Keleher & McLeod in early 2012. She practices in the areas of civil and commercial litigation.

Stephen Marshall in 2011 became an associate with the Rodey Law Firm, where he focuses his practice on medical malpractice defense, insurance defense and personal liability.

Traci Olivas joined Sutin,Thayer & Browne in fall 2011. She is a member of the firm's trial group and practices in the areas of commercial litigation, tort law and creditors' rights. She is also a certified mediator with the New Mexico Mediation Association.

Melanie Stambaugh in 2011 became an associate with the Rodey Law Firm, where she focuses her practice on complex and commercial litigation. Prior to law school, she worked for several international nonprofit organizations.

Matthew Zamora became an associate in the Albuquerque firm of Sapien Law in 2012. He focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury litigation, worker’s compensation, insurance claim settlements and criminal defense.