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Ms. Santos has dedicated her legal profession to civil litigation in the area of insurance defense. Ms. Santos started her legal career defending commercial, auto and homeowners’ liability claims, which provided extensive litigation and trial experience. Ms. Santos’ then focused her practice on the handling of first-party, coverage, and extra-contractual claims. Currently, Ms. Santos’ practice is centered on the representation of property and casualty insurers in the areas of extra-contractual liability, coverage, and uninsured motorist law. Ms. Santos regularly advises clients on coverage and claims handling issues. Ms. Santos’ litigation practice puts her on the forefront of the legal issues that are shaping the insurance landscape in New Mexico. Ms. Santos also maintains an active trial practice and has successfully defended many cases through trial.

In 2014, Ms. Santos was named Young Lawyer of the Year by the New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association. Ms. Santos has also been recognized by The Latino American Who’s Who for her achievements as a Latina in the legal profession. From 2018-2021, she was named a Southwest Rising Star by Super Lawyers, an honor bestowed on no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in a state.

When Ms. Santos is not vigorously advocating for her clients, she writes and publishes articles and gives back to the community through volunteer work and mentorship. Ms. Santos serves on the Editorial Board of the Defense News, which is the quarterly publication of the New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association. Since joining the Defense News Editorial Board, she has published many articles on emerging legal issues. In 2020, Ms. Santos chaired and presented at the New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association’s Second Annual Bad Faith Seminar. Ms. Santos presented at the American Bar Association’s 2020, Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee Seminar and will present at the 2021 seminar as well. Annually, Ms. Santos teaches a multi-day intensive deposition skills course, helping lawyers and law students develop and sharpen their ability to take and defend depositions during litigation. Ms. Santos regularly serves as a guest lecturer at the University of New Mexico School of Law’s Insurance Law class. Ms. Santos also sits on the Executive Board of the New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association, serving as President during the 2020-2022 term. As a member of the New Mexico Hispanic Bar Board, Ms. Santos helps organize Continuing Legal Education courses, mentorship programs and fund-raising events. Ms. Santos also coordinates the firm’s community charity and pro bono activities.

Bar Admissions

  • State of New Mexico

Education

  • University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM J.D., Dean’s List
  • University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM B.A. Political Science, Cum Laude

Presentations

  • No Coverage Does Not Necessarily Mean No Bad Faith, American Bar Association’s Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee Seminar, 2020
  • Bad Faith 101, New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association’s Bad Faith Seminar, 2020
  • The New Hovet, New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association’s Bad Faith Seminar, 2020

Publications

  • Untangling the Web: Differentiating Between Raskob and Hovet Claims to Determine the Proper Scope of Discovery, Defense News, Fall 2013
  • Year-Round Opportunities to Help Those in Need Through Volunteer Legal Services, Defense News, Fall 2013
  • Sunnyland Farms, Inc. v. Central Electric Cooperation, Inc.: The Dark Side of Settlement, Defense News, Winter 2013/2014
  • Who Are We Really Punishing? Why Mandating Coverage of Punitive Damages Under Liability Insurance Policies Does Not Make Sense, Defense News Winter 2014/2015
  • When Friendly Turns Into Ex Parte: The Dangers of Unintentional Ex Parte Communications, Defense News Summer 2015
  • Bigger Is Not Always Better: My First-Hand Experience with Summary Jury Trials, Defense News Summer 2016
  • Getting It Right — The Importance of a Properly Drafted Reservation of Rights Letter, Defense News Winter 2018/2019
  • Interview of Judge Joshua Allison, Defense News Vol. II, 2020
Ms. Santos' Awards & Recognitions
  • New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association - Young Lawyer of the Year 2014
  • The Latino American Who's Who: 2014
  • Super Lawyers - Southwest Rising Star, 2018 Present
  • America’s Top 100 Civil Defense Litigators
Ms. Santos' Practice Areas
  • Appellate Practice
  • Auto and Commercial Liability
  • Bad Faith
  • Construction Defect
  • Products Liability
Ms. Santos' Memberships
  • New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association - President, 2020-present; Vic President, 2019l Executive Board member, 2013-2018.
  • New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association - Editorial Board Member 2014-Present
  • Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, 2020-present
  • Defense Research Institute (DRI)
  • American Bar Association