News, Articles & Events

In celebration of Pro Bono Week, the 2nd Judicial District Pro Bono Committee held a reception honoring the many attorneys who volunteer to help Bernalillo County's low-income residents with legal issues. The committee awarded S. Charles Archuleta "Pro Bono Attorney of the Year." Presenting the award, Committee Co-Chair Judge Nan Nash described Archuleta's work on pro bono issues as "valiant," "tireless," and "compassionate to an extreme." "In many ways, this was a very difficult decision for the committee," Judge Nash said. "All year, we have seen so many lawyers give so much time and energy. People from all areas of the legal community – from large and small firms in private practice and from the legal aid community itself. All have done great work, but Charles has really gone above and beyond what anyone could ask or expect."

Charles A. Pharris, a long-time attorney and senior partner with Keleher & McLeod has been recognized for legal excellence by several organizations. Southwest Super Lawyers recognized him as its Lawyer of the Year for 2009 for personal injury. They also selected him as one of New Mexico's Top 25 Super Lawyers for 2009. Southwest Super Lawyers chooses recipients based on evaluations by peers and through independent research. Best Lawyers in America named Mr. Pharris as one of New Mexico's best for 2009 in three categories: "Bet the Company" Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation, and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Best Lawyers conducts exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. Previously, Mr. Pharris was honored by the New Mexico Defense Lawyers as its 2007 Lawyer of the Year. Mr. Pharris has been a trial lawyer with the Keleher & McLeod law firm for the past 40 years. He has served as the firm's president, and is also a past president of the State Bar of New Mexico. With four decades of experience in litigation, Mr. Pharris serves clients primarily in personal injury, defense of products liability, medical malpractice, insurance coverage and bad faith cases. He also has considerable experience in mediation and arbitration.

Keleher & McLeod is pleased to announce that Best Lawyers has included Richard K. Barlow in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the specialties of Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Non-Profit/Charities Law, Securities Law, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates. Best Lawyer, is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Mr. Barlow's inclusion is particularly noteworthy as he is one of a small and distinguished group of attorneys who have now been listed in Best Lawyers for twenty years or longer.

Please join us in congratulating Susan McCormack on her election as Chair of the State Bar Business Law Section!