Best's Recommended Insurance Attorneys - General Defense
- Telephone: 505-884-0777
- Fax: 505-889-8870
- Website: www.btblaw.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3170, Albuquerque, NM 87190
Established: 1959
Practice Areas
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Appeals
- Aviation
- Bankruptcy
- Banking
- Construction Law
- Consumer Law
- Employment Litigation
- Estate Planning
- Probate
- General Liability
- Health Care
- Medical Liability
- Product Liability
- Professional Liability
- Real Estate
- Trucking
- Transportation
- Workers' Compensation
- Business and Commercial Transactions
- Complex Civil Litigation
- Domestic Relations
- Environment and Toxic Torts
- Government Entities and Civil Rights Litigation
- Insurance Coverage Issues
- Professional Licensing and Board Complaint Representation
- Retail Litigation
- Sports and Recreation
- Taxation Law
About Us
The law firm of Butt Thornton & Baehr PC has served the legal needs of New Mexico's citizens, businesses and government since 1959. Like the state's motto "crescit eundo" (it grows as it goes), the firm continues to expand and has played a vital role in the growth of Albuquerque as the dynamic center of the southwest region of the United States.
Only an hour by air from Phoenix, Denver and El Paso, we are centrally located and uniquely positioned by diverse legal experience and personal perspectives, language skills and state-of-the-art technical support to meet your civil litigation and commercial legal requirements.
Our practice is concentrated in defending claims in the areas of personal injury, aviation, products liability, insurance, workers' compensation, transportation, professional malpractice, construction and civil rights. In addition, our commercial section can meet your legal needs in the areas of banking, bonds, corporations, partnerships, mortgage financing, real estate, bankruptcy, wills, estate planning and related litigation.
For more than fifty years, Butt Thornton & Baehr PC has been known as a law firm of quality and integrity. We are proud of the position of trust and respect the firm has earned in New Mexico's business, legal and governmental communities. Our commitment is to continue to meet the high standards that have earned us that reputation into the twenty-first century.
Client Information
Insurance Clients
- ACE North American Claims
- ACUITY, A Mutual Insurance Company
- AIG
- American States Insurance Company
- Associated Aviation Underwriters
- Carolina Casualty Insurance Group
- Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
- CIGNA Property and Casualty Insurance Company
- CNA Insurance Companies
- Colonial Insurance Company of California
- Colorado Casualty Insurance Company
- The Doctors Company
- E & O Professionals
- Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange
- Fireman's Fund Insurance Company
- First Colonial Insurance Company
- GAB Robins North America, Inc.
- General Accident Insurance Company
- Great American Insurance Company
- Great West Casualty Company
- The Hartford
- Home Insurance Company
- Horizon Health Care Corporation
- Insurance Company of North America
- Interstate Insurance Group
- Kemper Insurance Companies
- Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
- Medical Claims Management Group
- The Medical Protective Company
- Northland Insurance Company
- Occidental Fire & Casualty Company of North Carolina
- Ohio Casualty Insurance Company
- Pharmacists Mutual Companies
- Philadelphia Insurance Companies
- Royal Insurance Group
- Sentry Claims Services
- St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company
- Transamerica Insurance Company
- Travelers Insurance Companies
- United States Aviation Underwriters, Inc.
- Universal Underwriters Insurance Company
- Wausau Insurance Companies
- Western Insurance Group
- Western World Insurance Company
- Zurich American Insurance Company
Non-Insurance Clients
- Alexsis, Inc.
- American Suzuki Motor Corporation
- AutoZone, Inc.
- Chrysler Corporation
- Circle K Stores, Inc., a division of Tosco Corp.
- Equity General Agents, Inc.
- Federal Express
- Ford Motor Company
- Halliburton Energy Services Corporation
- Honda North America, Inc.
- Kawasaki Motors Corporation, U.S.A.
- The Kroger Co.
- Michelin Tire Corporation
- Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
- Navistar International Transportation Corporation
- Office Depot, Inc.
- Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
- Tyson Foods, Inc.
- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Personnel Information
Of Counsel
James H. Johansen
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Insurance Law
- Bad Faith
- Complex Litigation
- Construction
- Environmental and Toxic Injury
- Professional Liability
Admitted
- New Mexico, 1980
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Additional Biographical Details:
Senior Arbitrator, Better Business Bureau; AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Memberships:
- American and Albuquerque Bar Associations
- State Bar of New Mexico
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association (President, 1995)
- Defense Research Institute (Senior Advisor)
Education:
- New Mexico State University, B.B.A., 1977
- The University of New Mexico, J.D., 1980
W. Ann Maggiore
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Medical Negligence
- Law Enforcement Liability
- Governmental Entity Defense
- Civil Rights
- Complex Litigation
- Professional Liability
- Professional Licensure
Admitted
- New Mexico, 1992
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico, 1998
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Memberships:
- State Bar of New Mexico (Board Member, Health Law Section)
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
- National Association of EMS Physicians
- Albuquerque Sexual Assualt Nurses Examiners (Board Member)
Education:
- The University of New Mexico, B.A., 1989
- The University of New Mexico, J.D., 1992
J. Duke Thornton
Albuquerque, NM
Admitted
- New Mexico, 1969
- New York, 1984
Memberships:
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of New Mexico
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Association for Transportation Law, Logistics and Policy
- International Association of Insurance Counsel
- Defense Research Institute
Publications:
- "Trial Handbook for New Mexico Lawyers," Lawyers Cooperative Publishing
Education:
- The University of New Mexico, B.B.A., 1966
- The University of New Mexico, J.D., 1969
Norman L. Gagne
Albuquerque, NM
Admitted
- New Mexico, 1974
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth and Tenth Circuits
- U.S. Court of Military Appeals
Memberships:
- American and Albuquerque Bar Associations
- State Bar of New Mexico
- State Bar of Texas
- Fellow, New Mexico Bar Foundation
- Hispanic Bar Association
- American Law Firm Association
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
Education:
- University of Colorado, B.A., 1966
- The University of New Mexico, J.D., 1974
Robert T. Booms
Albuquerque, NM
Admitted
- Colorado, 1970
- New Mexico, 1989
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1993
Memberships:
- New Mexico Supreme Court Rules of Evidence and Code of Conduct Committees
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
- Defense Research Institute
Education:
- Dartmouth College, A.B., 1966
- University of Denver, J.D., 1970
Carlos G. Martinez
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Employment Litigation
- General Liability
- Workers' Compensation
Admitted
- New Mexico, 1972
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico, 1973
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, 1974
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth and Tenth Circuits
- U.S. Court of International Trade
- U.S. Court of Military Appeals
Memberships:
- American and Albuquerque Bar Associations
- State Bar of New Mexico
- State Bar of Texas
- Hispanic Bar Association
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association (Workers' Compensation Newsletter Editor)
- New Mexico Workers' Compensation Association (Board Member)
Publications:
- New Mexico Workers' Compensation Manual
Certifications:
- Board Certified, New Mexico Workers' Compensation Specialist
Education:
- University of San Francisco, B.A., 1969
- University of California, J.D., 1972
Martin Diamond
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Construction Litigation
- General Liability
- Litigation
- Trucking
- Transportation
Admitted
- New York, 1975
- New Mexico, 1978
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
Additional Biographical Details:
Former Assistant District Attorney, Bronx County, New York; Former Assistant District Attorney, Bernalillo County, New Mexico; AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Memberships:
- State Bar of New Mexico
- Albuquerque Bar Association
- New Mexico Medical Review Commission
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
- Defense Research Institute
Education:
- State University of New York at Buffalo, B.A., 1968
- New York University, J.D., 1974
Glenna Hayes
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Workers' Compensation
Admitted
- New Mexico, 1986
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- Supreme Court of New Mexico
Memberships:
- American and Albuquerque Bar Associations
- State Bar of New Mexico
- New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
- Defense Research Institute
Education:
- Eastern New Mexico University, B.S., 1971
- Eastern New Mexico University, M.Ed., 1979
- The University of New Mexico, J.D., 1986
Alfred L. Green, Jr.
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Complex Litigation
- Product Liability
- Professional Liability
- Environmental and Toxic Injury
- Health Care
Admitted
- New Mexico, 1976
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
- U.S. Court of Military Appeals
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Additional Biographical Details:
Past Litigation Director; AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Memberships:
- American and Albuquerque Bar Associations
- State Bar of New Mexico
- New Mexico Medical Review Commission
- American Law Firm Association (Product Liability Section)
- Defense Research Institute
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
Education:
- The University of New Mexico, B.A., 1969
- University of Arkansas, M.S., 1972
- The University of New Mexico, J.D., 1976
Rheba Rutkowski
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Appeals
- Complex Litigation
- General Litigation
Admitted
- Massachusetts, 1997
- New Mexico
- U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, First, Third, Fourth, Sixth, Ninth and Tenth Circuits
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education:
- Wellesley College, A.B.
- Northeastern University, J.D.
Shareholders
Rodney L. Schlagel
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Business Transactions
- Commercial Transactions
- Commercial Litigation
- Business and Real Estate Transactions
- Bankruptcy
- Construction
- Consumer Law
- Estate Planning
- Probate
- Tax Litigation
Admitted
- Colorado, 1979
- New Mexico, 1980
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Memberships:
- American and Albuquerque Bar Associations
- State Bar of New Mexico
Education:
- University of Denver, B.A., 1976
- University of Denver, J.D., 1979
Jane A. Laflin
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- General Liability
- Civil Rights
- Governmental Entity Defense
- Retail Liability
- Sports and Entertainment Liability
- Domestic Relations
Admitted
- New Mexico, 1987
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Memberships:
- American and Albuquerque Bar Associations
- State Bar of New Mexico
- New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association
- Women's Bar Association
Education:
- The University of New Mexico, B.S., 1980
- The University of New Mexico, J.D., 1987
Michael P. Clemens
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Civil Litigation
- General Liability
- Litigation
- Insurance
- Bad Faith
- Errors and Omissions
- Complex Litigation
- Construction
- Environmental and Toxic Injury
- Retail Liability
Admitted
- New Mexico, 1989
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Memberships:
- American and Albuquerque Bar Associations
- State Bar of New Mexico
- Defense Research Institute
- Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
Education:
- University of Colorado at Denver, B.A., 1986
- University of Denver, J.D., 1989
Agnes Fuentevilla Padilla
President
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Employment Litigation
- General Liability
- Governmental Entity Defense
- Civil Rights
- Complex Litigation
Admitted
- New Mexico, 1992
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
Memberships:
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of New Mexico
- New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association
- American Law Firm Association
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
- Defense Research Institute
- American Inns of Court
Certifications:
- Certified Specialist, Employment and Labor Law
Education:
- The University of New Mexico, B.A., 1988
- The University of New Mexico, J.D., 1992
Language:
- Spanish
Monica R. Garcia
Vice President
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Employment Litigation
- Civil Rights
- Nursing Home Litigation
- Product Liability
- Trucking
- Transportation
- General Liability
- Consumer Law
- Professional Liability
Admitted
- New Mexico, 1996
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Additional Biographical Details:
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Memberships:
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of New Mexico
- Defense Research Institute
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
- Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
- Trucking Industry Defense Association
- American Inns of Court
Education:
- Loyola Marymount University, B.B.A., 1991
- The University of New Mexico, J.D., 1996
Neil R. Blake
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Medical Malpractice
- Professional Liability
- Civil Litigation
- General Liability
- Complex Litigation
Admitted
- New Mexico, 1991
- Texas, 2005
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico, 1991
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Memberships:
- Albuquerque Bar Association
- New Mexico Medical Review Commission
- New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
Education:
- Colorado State University, B.A., 1987
- The University of Arizona, J.D., 1991
Paul R. Bishop
Treasurer
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Captive Company Matters
- Complex Litigation
- General Liability
- Health Care
- Professional Liability
- Trucking
- Transportation
Admitted
- New Mexico, 2005
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
- U.S. Supreme Court
Memberships:
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of New Mexico
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
- Defense Research Institute
Education:
- Purdue University, B.A. (distinguished graduate), 2002
- The University of New Mexico, J.D., 2005
Phillip W. Cheves
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Complex Litigation
- General Liability
- Domestic Relations
Admitted
- New Mexico, 1991
- Texas
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico, 2001
- Supreme Court of Texas
Memberships:
- State Bar of New Mexico
- State Bar of Texas
- Albuquerque Bar Association
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
Education:
- Abilene Christian College, B.A., 1987
- Pepperdine University, J.D., 1991
Felicia C. Boyd
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Complex Litigation
- Construction
- General Liability
- Health Care
- Product Liability
Admitted
- New Mexico, 2005
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Memberships:
- State Bar of New Mexico
- Albuquerque Bar Association
- New Mexico Medical Review Commission
- Defense Research Institute
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
Education:
- The University of New Mexico, B.A., 2002
- The University of New Mexico, J.D., 2005
Scott E. Stromberg
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Complex Litigation
- General Litigation
- Health Care
- Medical Malpractice
- Professional Liability
- Trucking
- Transportation
- Workers' Compensation Defense
Admitted
- New Mexico, 2010
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Memberships:
- American Bar Association (Natural Resources, Energy & Environmental Law Section)
- State Bar of New Mexico
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
- Defense Research Institute
Education:
- The University of New Mexico, B.A. (summa cum laude), 2007
- The University of New Mexico, J.D., 2010
Neysa E. Lujan
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Workers' Compensation
- Complex Litigation
- General Liability
Admitted
- New Mexico, 2010
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Memberships:
- American, Hispanic National, New Mexico Women's, New Mexico Hispanic and Albuquerque Bar Associations
- State Bar of New Mexico
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
- Defense Research Institute
Education:
- The University of New Mexico, B.S., 2005
- St. Mary's University, J.D., 2010
Ryan T. Sanders
Secretary
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Complex Litigation
- Construction
- General Liability
- Health Care
- Medical Malpractice
- Product Liability
- Professional Liability
- Retail Liability
- Sports and Entertainment Liability
- Transportation
- Trucking
Admitted
- New Mexico, 2009
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico including Bankruptcy Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Memberships:
- American (Veterans Claims and Assistance Network) and Albuquerque Bar Associations
- New Mexico Medical Society (Legal Review Panel)
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
- Defense Research Institute
Education:
- The University of New Mexico, B.S., 2005
- The University of New Mexico, J.D., 2008
Charles B. Kraft
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Professional Liability
- Sports and Entertainment Liability
- Complex Litigation
- General Liability
- Trucking
- Transportation
- Professional Licensure Defense
Admitted
- New Mexico, 2013
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
Memberships:
- Federal Bar Association (New Mexico Chapter)
- State Bar of New Mexico
- New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
Education:
- The University of New Mexico, B.A., 2009
- The University of New Mexico, J.D., 2013
Holly E. Armstrong
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Medical Negligence
- Medical Liability
- General Liability
- Construction Litigation
- Product Liability
- Professional Liability
- Complex Civil Litigation
- Catastrophic Personal Injury Defense
Admitted
- New Jersey, 2006
- New Mexico, 2010
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
Memberships:
- State Bar of New Mexico
- New Jersey State Bar Association
- New Mexico Medical Review Commission
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
Education:
- The University of New Mexico, B.B.A. (cum laude), 2002
- Rutgers University School of Law, J.D., 2005
Jason J. Patton
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- Business Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction
- Health Care
- Medical Malpractice
- Product Liability
Admitted
- New Mexico, 2016
Memberships:
- State Bar of New Mexico
- Albuquerque Bar Association
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
Education:
- University of Denver, B.A., 2012
- The University of New Mexico, J.D., 2016
Minal P. Unruh
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- General Liability
- Medical Negligence
- Medical Liability
- Construction Litigation
- Product Liability
- Professional Liability
- Trucking
- Transportation
- Complex Civil Litigation
- Insurance Coverage Issues
- Catastrophic Personal Injury Defense
Admitted
- New Mexico, 2007
- Missouri, 2015
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico, 2008
Memberships:
- State Bar of New Mexico
- The Missouri Bar
- New Mexico Women's Bar Association
- New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
Education:
- The University of Kansas, B.A., 2004
- The University of Kansas School of Law, J.D., 2007
- Amy E. Headrick
Associate Attorney
Jonathan E. Dominguez
Albuquerque, NM
Admitted
- New Mexico, 2017
Education:
- The University of New Mexico, B.A., 2013
- The University of New Mexico School of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2017
Nicholas W. Chiado
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- General Liability
- Trucking
- Transportation
- Product Liability
Admitted
- New Mexico, 2020
Memberships:
- State of New Mexico
Education:
- The University of New Mexico, B.A., 2016
- The University of New Mexico School of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2020
Renee Mascareñas
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- General Liability
- Medical Negligence
- Medical Liability
- Product Liability
- Professional Liability
- Catastrophic Personal Injury Defense
- Complex Civil Litigation
- Insurance Coverage Issues
- Governmental Entities and Civil Rights Litigation
Admitted
- New Mexico, 2013
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
Memberships:
- State Bar of New Mexico
Education:
- New Mexico Highlands University, B.B.A., 2007
- Phoenix School of Law, J.D., 2012
Nicholas D. Nuñez
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- General Liability
- Trucking
- Transportation
Admitted
- New Mexico, 2018
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
Memberships:
- State Bar of New Mexico
Education:
- The University of New Mexico, B.A. (cum laude), 2014
- The University of New Mexico School of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2018
Stephanie J. Schneider
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- General Liability
- Construction Litigation
- Real Estate
- Estate Planning
- Probate
- Complex Civil Litigation
- Business and Commercial Transactions
Admitted
- New Mexico, 2019
Memberships:
- State Bar of New Mexico
Education:
- The University of New Mexico, B.A. (cum laude), 2012
- The University of New Mexico Anderson School of Business, M.B.A. (cum laude), 2019
- The University of New Mexico School of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2019
Sarah L. Shore
Albuquerque, NM
Practice Areas
- General Liability
- Appeals
- Employment Litigation
- Complex Civil Litigation
- Environment and Toxic Torts
Admitted
- New York, 2010
- New Mexico
- U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
Memberships:
- Federal Bar Association (New Mexico Chapter)
- State of New Mexico
- New York State Bar Association
Education:
- University of Washington, B.A., 2004
- New York University School of Law, J.D., 2009
- Allison M. Beaulieu
- Lindsey A. Bundrant
- Valentina E. Basile
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