Christopher A. Holland is a member of the firm’s litigation group where he represents corporate and institutional clients in commercial litigation, tax litigation, government contracts, employment law, education law, and land use. After a clerkship for the Honorable Pamela B. Minzner at the Supreme Court of New Mexico, Chris joined Sutin, Thayer & Browne in 1996. He left the firm in 2018 to serve as Chief Counsel of the New Mexico National Guard, a State organization comprising more than 3,500 service members and civilian employees. We welcomed him back to the firm in 2023.

Chris served as a U.S. Army officer in the active and reserve components for almost four decades, retiring in 2021 at the rank of colonel. He is a veteran of the Persian Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan wars. Chris has decades of experience in all phases of litigation and is rated as AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. Best Lawyers in America has recognized him for his skill and expertise in various practice areas, including commercial litigation, employment law, and education law. And Chambers USA and Southwest Super Lawyers have recognized him in past years.

 

    • Seminar Speaker, Tribal Economic Development in the Southwest: Applicability of General Employment Laws, 2015

    • Seminar Speaker, The National Labor Relations Act, State Bar Center, 2014

    • Seminar Speaker, The National Labor Relations Act, State Bar Center, 2014

    • Seminar Speaker, Dependent Indian Communities, 2006

    • Seminar Speaker, The Family Medical Leave Act & the USERRA, 2005

    • Seminar Speaker, Update on Employment Law in New Mexico, New Mexico State Bar, 2003

    • Seminar Speaker, Indian Tribal Court Jurisdiction Over Non-Indians, 2000

    • Seminar Speaker, The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 2000

    • Author, The Supreme Court Speaks Where the Legislature was Silent, 23 New Mexico Law Review283 (1993)

    • Otero v. Green Tree Servicing, 498 B.R. 313 (Bankr. N.M. 2013)

    • Honeyfield v. City of Gallup, 436 Fed. Appx. 836 (10th Cir. 2011) (2011 WL 3288374)

    • In re Camino Real Environmental Center, Inc., 242 P.3d 343 (N.M. Ct. App. 2010)

    • State ex rel. Board of Regents of Eastern New Mexico Univ. v. Baca, 189 P.3d 663 (N.M. 2008)

    • In re Memorial Medical Center, Inc., 337 B.R. 388 (Bankr. D.N.M. 2005)

    • Martindale-Hubbell Rating: AV Preeminent

    • Best Lawyers in America, 2010-2018, 2025

    • Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, Education Law, Albuquerque, 2016

    • Chambers USA, 2006-2009

    • Southwest Super Lawyers, 2012, 2014

    • Recipient of the Duque de Albuquerque Award from Albuquerque Mayor Chavez, 2005

    • Member, City of Albuquerque Personnel Board, 2014–2018

    • Member, Supreme Court Committee on the Rules of Civil Procedure for District Courts, 2016–2017

    • Hearing committee member for various disciplinary matters, Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of New Mexico, 2001–present

    • Board of Directors, New Mexico State Bar Section on Labor and Employment Law, 2001–2003

Admissions

  • New Mexico, 1994

  • Colorado, 1996

Education

  • U.S. Army War College, 2017, M.A., Strategic Studies

  • University of New Mexico School of Law, 1994, J.D.

    • Managing Editor, New Mexico Law Review, 1993 – 1994

  • Eastern New Mexico University, 1982, B.B.A, with honors

Advocates for corporate and institutional clients in state and federal courts and administrative tribunals in cases involving:

  • Commercial litigation

  • Education law

  • Employment law and discrimination

  • Government contracts

  • Real estate and land use

  • Professional liability

  • Healthcare

  • Tax

 

Experienced in all facets of the litigation process, including pre-suit investigation and risk management, discovery, depositions, motions practice, hearings, trials, and appeals.