kathleen Ann Sabo, Executive Director
Kathleen received her B.A. from Fordham University in New York City, and her J.D. from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. A Connecticut native, Kathleen moved to New Mexico in 1991 and is a member of the New Mexico Bar. Concentrating chiefly on legislative matters, she provided legislative analysis to the New Mexico State Senate Judiciary Committee (Sen. Michael Sanchez, Chair) and New Mexico Legislative Reports, and served as the Head Majority Analyst for the New Mexico State Senate. Kathleen has been a long-time consultant to the New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), performing legislative analysis and undertaking numerous special projects, including representing the AOC on a legislative task force and steering committee (2015’s SJM 4). She has also consulted with New Mexico’s Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) and Tourism Department. Kathleen served for many years as the host and producer of Albuquerque’s KUNM Public Radio’s weekly public affairs program, The KUNM Call-In Show – garnering a 2015 First Place Top of the Rockies award from the Society of Professional Journalists for General Broadcast Excellence, along with the broadcast team – as host and producer of public affairs and cultural special programs and election coverage on KUNM, and as an independent radio host and producer. She also served as the Executive Director of Santa Fe’s Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety, and has consulted with numerous entities on business, media, music and recording projects as the principal of Voice and Verse. She has taught as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Communication and Journalism at the University of New Mexico. Kathleen is an award-winning singer/songwriter and composer, and a writer of poetry and prose. She is a mother of two who is an avid sports and exercise participant and coach, gardener, ocean and animal lover, and frequent and intrepid traveler throughout the U.S. and beyond.
Board of Directors
JUSTICE RICHARD C. BOSSON (RETIRED), CHAIR
Justice Bosson was a member of the New Mexico Supreme Court from 2002 to 2015. He was a member of the New Mexico Court of Appeals from 1994 to 2002. He served on the New Mexico Constitutional Revision Commission in 1994-95. Justice Bosson earned his law degree in 1969 from the Georgetown University Law Center after earning his undergraduate degree in 1966 from Wesleyan University. In 1998, after he already was on the high court, Justice Bosson received a master’s degree in judicial process from the University of Virginia School of Law. Justice Bosson was a founding member of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund in Albuquerque from 1970 to 1974 and was a member of the Legal Aid Society of Albuquerque. He lived in Colombia in 1975 as a recipient of a Latin American Teaching Fellowship sponsored by the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and associated with the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá. In 1976, he went to work in the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office. During his time there, Justice Bosson worked in the Consumer Protection Division and was Civil Division director. He started a private practice as a senior partner of Bosson & Canepa in Santa Fe in 1981, practicing there until 1994. During that time, he was bond counsel for the State Board of Finance and the city of Santa Fe.
Justice Bosson was a member of the New Mexico Supreme Court from 2002 to 2015. He was a member of the New Mexico Court of Appeals from 1994 to 2002. He served on the New Mexico Constitutional Revision Commission in 1994-95. Justice Bosson earned his law degree in 1969 from the Georgetown University Law Center after earning his undergraduate degree in 1966 from Wesleyan University. In 1998, after he already was on the high court, Justice Bosson received a master’s degree in judicial process from the University of Virginia School of Law. Justice Bosson was a founding member of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund in Albuquerque from 1970 to 1974 and was a member of the Legal Aid Society of Albuquerque. He lived in Colombia in 1975 as a recipient of a Latin American Teaching Fellowship sponsored by the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and associated with the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá. In 1976, he went to work in the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office. During his time there, Justice Bosson worked in the Consumer Protection Division and was Civil Division director. He started a private practice as a senior partner of Bosson & Canepa in Santa Fe in 1981, practicing there until 1994. During that time, he was bond counsel for the State Board of Finance and the city of Santa Fe.
PHILIP B. DAVIS, SECRETARY
Mr. Davis is a 1978 graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law. In private practice in Albuquerque since 1981, he represents mostly plaintiffs in civil rights litigation, including police misconduct, employment, first amendment, whistleblower and discrimination cases. Mr. Davis serves as a mediator and an arbitrator in a wide array of civil rights, personal injury and employment cases. Mr. Davis has an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Civil Rights Law, Employment Law and First Amendment Litigation for many years. He was named Best Lawyers’ 2016 New Mexico Lawyer of the Year in the area of First Amendment Litigation.
Mr. Davis is a 1978 graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law. In private practice in Albuquerque since 1981, he represents mostly plaintiffs in civil rights litigation, including police misconduct, employment, first amendment, whistleblower and discrimination cases. Mr. Davis serves as a mediator and an arbitrator in a wide array of civil rights, personal injury and employment cases. Mr. Davis has an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Civil Rights Law, Employment Law and First Amendment Litigation for many years. He was named Best Lawyers’ 2016 New Mexico Lawyer of the Year in the area of First Amendment Litigation.
ALFRED L. GREEN, JR., TREASURER
Mr. Green is a native New Mexican who graduated with a B.A. from the University of New Mexico in 1969; a Master of Business from the University of Arkansas, 1972; and is a 1976 graduate of the UNM School of Law. Since 1980, he has been in private practice in Albuquerque with the firm of Butt Thornton & Baehr, primarily representing defendants in product liability; professional negligence; complex litigation and more recently rural electric cooperatives. Mr. Green has an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been listed in The Best Lawyers of America and Southwest Super Lawyers in the area of product liability defense and mass tort litigation. He has taught numerous continuing legal education seminars and was an adjunct professor at the UNM School of Law. He was the 2008 New Mexico Defense Lawyer Association Defense Lawyer of the Year. He also served 11 years active duty in the United States Air Force and 12 years reserve with the United States Air Force.
Mr. Green is a native New Mexican who graduated with a B.A. from the University of New Mexico in 1969; a Master of Business from the University of Arkansas, 1972; and is a 1976 graduate of the UNM School of Law. Since 1980, he has been in private practice in Albuquerque with the firm of Butt Thornton & Baehr, primarily representing defendants in product liability; professional negligence; complex litigation and more recently rural electric cooperatives. Mr. Green has an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been listed in The Best Lawyers of America and Southwest Super Lawyers in the area of product liability defense and mass tort litigation. He has taught numerous continuing legal education seminars and was an adjunct professor at the UNM School of Law. He was the 2008 New Mexico Defense Lawyer Association Defense Lawyer of the Year. He also served 11 years active duty in the United States Air Force and 12 years reserve with the United States Air Force.
JOLEEN K. YOUNGERS
Ms. Youngers has practiced as a trial lawyer since 1992 with the law firm of Almanzar & Youngers, P.A., in Santa Fe and Las Cruces. Ms. Youngers’ practice primarily involves representing plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. She also represents persons whose civil rights have been violated, persons who are retaliated against after reporting wrongdoing by government officials and agencies, as well as victims of police misconduct, sexual abuse, discrimination and harassment. While she primarily represents plaintiffs, she also represents employers to defend and prevent employment and civil rights claims. In addition to her litigation practice, Ms. Youngers works as a mediator to help parties settle their disputes prior to trial. She also serves as a guardian ad litem for children and incompetent persons in personal injury and civil rights litigation. While Ms. Youngers spends most of her time litigating, she also frequently engages in teaching trial advocacy and Continuing Legal Education courses for trial lawyers and criminal defense lawyers. Several times a year, Ms. Youngers leaves her busy litigation practice to teach trial practice and deposition skills classes for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy.
Ms. Youngers has practiced as a trial lawyer since 1992 with the law firm of Almanzar & Youngers, P.A., in Santa Fe and Las Cruces. Ms. Youngers’ practice primarily involves representing plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. She also represents persons whose civil rights have been violated, persons who are retaliated against after reporting wrongdoing by government officials and agencies, as well as victims of police misconduct, sexual abuse, discrimination and harassment. While she primarily represents plaintiffs, she also represents employers to defend and prevent employment and civil rights claims. In addition to her litigation practice, Ms. Youngers works as a mediator to help parties settle their disputes prior to trial. She also serves as a guardian ad litem for children and incompetent persons in personal injury and civil rights litigation. While Ms. Youngers spends most of her time litigating, she also frequently engages in teaching trial advocacy and Continuing Legal Education courses for trial lawyers and criminal defense lawyers. Several times a year, Ms. Youngers leaves her busy litigation practice to teach trial practice and deposition skills classes for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy.
DANIEL YOHALEM
Mr. Yohalem has been an attorney for over 42 years, the last 29 of which have been in New Mexico. He received his B.A. in 1970 from Yale University and a J.D. with honors in 1973 from Columbia University Law School. He is currently in private practice, focusing on first amendment, civil rights, open government, employment, and class action cases for plaintiffs, particularly in the areas of equal pay for women, whistleblower, discrimination, and retaliation claims. Mr. Yohalem has been awarded the William S. Dixon First Amendment Freedom Award (2006) as Lawyer of the Year by the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, and the Cooperating Attorney of the Year (2002) by the ACLU of New Mexico. He has consistently been listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Superlawyers of the Southwest. He has served on the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government Board since 1998 and was President from 2002-2003. He is a founding Board member of the Santa Fe Neighborhood Law Center and New Mexico Ethics Watch and serves on the Board of the Santa Fe Community Homeless Shelter.
Mr. Yohalem has been an attorney for over 42 years, the last 29 of which have been in New Mexico. He received his B.A. in 1970 from Yale University and a J.D. with honors in 1973 from Columbia University Law School. He is currently in private practice, focusing on first amendment, civil rights, open government, employment, and class action cases for plaintiffs, particularly in the areas of equal pay for women, whistleblower, discrimination, and retaliation claims. Mr. Yohalem has been awarded the William S. Dixon First Amendment Freedom Award (2006) as Lawyer of the Year by the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, and the Cooperating Attorney of the Year (2002) by the ACLU of New Mexico. He has consistently been listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Superlawyers of the Southwest. He has served on the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government Board since 1998 and was President from 2002-2003. He is a founding Board member of the Santa Fe Neighborhood Law Center and New Mexico Ethics Watch and serves on the Board of the Santa Fe Community Homeless Shelter.
AGNES FUENTEVILLA PADILLA
Ms. Fuentevilla Padilla is the President and Managing Partner of the law firm of Butt Thornton & Baehr PC. She graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1992 and practices primarily in the area of employment law, civil rights and governmental entity litigation. Ms. Padilla represents employers in all types of employment matters, providing counsel, advice and training in the areas of hiring, firing, discipline and investigations and is often called upon to conduct independent investigations of employment matters. She also defends employers against charges brought before federal and state agencies and in federal and state courts. She is an active member of ALFA International’s Steering Committee on Labor and Employment Law and the ALFA Women’s Initiative. Ms. Padilla has been selected as a Southwest Super Lawyer every year since 2007. She is also recognized by Best Lawyers in America. She lectures frequently on employment issues.
Ms. Fuentevilla Padilla is the President and Managing Partner of the law firm of Butt Thornton & Baehr PC. She graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1992 and practices primarily in the area of employment law, civil rights and governmental entity litigation. Ms. Padilla represents employers in all types of employment matters, providing counsel, advice and training in the areas of hiring, firing, discipline and investigations and is often called upon to conduct independent investigations of employment matters. She also defends employers against charges brought before federal and state agencies and in federal and state courts. She is an active member of ALFA International’s Steering Committee on Labor and Employment Law and the ALFA Women’s Initiative. Ms. Padilla has been selected as a Southwest Super Lawyer every year since 2007. She is also recognized by Best Lawyers in America. She lectures frequently on employment issues.
LEON HOWARD
Leon has been defending people’s civil rights and liberties in the state of New Mexico for nearly a decade. Shortly after graduating from the University of New Mexico School of Law, he began working as a staff attorney for the ACLU of New Mexico, with special concentration on First and Fourth Amendment cases. After two years with the ACLU of New Mexico, Leon started working in the private sector and eventually started his own firm, the Law Office of Lucero & Howard, where he continued to focus on civil rights. In January 2018, he returned to the ACLU of New Mexico as legal director, where he leads the affiliate’s legal department and litigation efforts. Leon is a passionate advocate for racial equality and justice. He knows firsthand the damaging effects of racial injustice and his strong connections in communities of color have made him a “go to” legal resource when people in those communities experience injustice and civil rights abuses. Leon is also passionate about protecting the rights of all underrepresented populations and people who are victims of governmental/institutional abuse of power. Leon is a board member of the New Mexico Innocence & Justice Project, Co-Chair of the New Mexico State Bar Committee on Diversity, Part-Time Faculty at the University of New Mexico, and Past Vice President of the New Mexico Black Lawyers Association. Super Lawyers Magazine has named Leon a “Rising Star” in the area of civil rights from 2014 through 2017, and in 2015 he was recognized by Albuquerque Business First Magazine as one New Mexico’s “40 Under 40”.
Leon has been defending people’s civil rights and liberties in the state of New Mexico for nearly a decade. Shortly after graduating from the University of New Mexico School of Law, he began working as a staff attorney for the ACLU of New Mexico, with special concentration on First and Fourth Amendment cases. After two years with the ACLU of New Mexico, Leon started working in the private sector and eventually started his own firm, the Law Office of Lucero & Howard, where he continued to focus on civil rights. In January 2018, he returned to the ACLU of New Mexico as legal director, where he leads the affiliate’s legal department and litigation efforts. Leon is a passionate advocate for racial equality and justice. He knows firsthand the damaging effects of racial injustice and his strong connections in communities of color have made him a “go to” legal resource when people in those communities experience injustice and civil rights abuses. Leon is also passionate about protecting the rights of all underrepresented populations and people who are victims of governmental/institutional abuse of power. Leon is a board member of the New Mexico Innocence & Justice Project, Co-Chair of the New Mexico State Bar Committee on Diversity, Part-Time Faculty at the University of New Mexico, and Past Vice President of the New Mexico Black Lawyers Association. Super Lawyers Magazine has named Leon a “Rising Star” in the area of civil rights from 2014 through 2017, and in 2015 he was recognized by Albuquerque Business First Magazine as one New Mexico’s “40 Under 40”.
MARGARET SHUMBARGER
Biography not available at this time.
Biography not available at this time.
