There were 33 fewer active legal licenses in Valencia County in the third quarter of 2025 than in the previous quarter, according to the State Bar of New Mexico.
Overall, 15 lawyers were working within the county at the time, compared to 48 the quarter before.
Data refers to all lawyers who were actively practicing during this time period.
As of March 1, 2025, average lawyer salaries in New Mexico ranged from $96,460 for an entry-level attorney handling routine legal work (Attorney I) to $202,032 for highly experienced attorneys managing complex cases with significant autonomy (Attorney V). Mid-level attorneys, such as those in Attorney III roles—who handle highly complex legal work with moderate supervision—earn on average $161,322 in New Mexico, compared to $174,969 nationwide.
Based on results from the February 2025 Bar Exam by the National Conference of Bar Examiners, New Mexico’s first-time pass rate was 63%, ranking it above the national average at the time. However, that also marked a notable drop from the 82% first-time pass rate in July 2024, when New Mexico was among the top 10 states for first-time passage.
For context, overall pass rates for the February 2025 bar exam were low, with only 14 states recording rates above 50%. The decline has been linked to historically low scores on the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), which saw its lowest average since it began in 1972.
| Lawyer Name | Name of Firm | Admission Date |
|---|---|---|
| Amavalise F. Jaramillo | Law Office of Amavalise F. Jaramillo | 09/29/2003 |
| Antonia Rae Aguilar | The Law Firm of David C. Chavez | 04/21/2021 |
| Cindy M. Mercer | 13th Judicial District Court | 10/08/1997 |
| David C. Chavez | The Law Firm of David C. Chavez, LLC | 09/21/1983 |
| Francine M. Jaramillo | — | 09/26/2008 |
| James Lawrence Sanchez | 13th Judicial District Court | 10/07/1986 |
| Jane Rocha de Gandara | Sun of Justice Law Firm | 10/04/1999 |
| Kenneth R. Wagner | Ken Wagner Law, P.A. | 04/01/1976 |
| Lori Bauer Apodaca | Lori Bauer Apodaca Attorney at Law | 05/26/1994 |
| Matthew Hasler | 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office | 09/25/2018 |
| Michael S. Sanchez | Michael Sanchez Law Offices, P.C. | 02/01/1978 |
| Stephanie Russo A. Baca | — | 10/16/2017 |
| Steven M. Chavez | Chavez Law Firm, P.C. | 10/22/1996 |
| Tibo J. Chavez Jr. | Law Office of Tibo J. Chavez Jr | 10/05/1981 |
| William A. Sanchez | Sanchez Settlement & Mediation Services, LLC | 09/01/1980 |
