MARIPOSA PADILLA SIVAGE represents clients in a variety of civil and commercial litigation. She has considerable experience representing governmental entities and public employees. She has represented management in labor relations and collective bargaining negotiations for a higher education client. She handles complex litigation involving prison liability, probate and estate disputes, construction claims, premises liability, civil rights, governmental defense, insurance and tort defense. Ms. Padilla Sivage practices extensively in federal and state courts throughout New Mexico, as well as before administrative tribunals. She has first-chair jury trial and non-jury trial experience. She has handled appeals for clients in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals as well as in the New Mexico Appellate Courts.

Ms. Padilla Sivage worked in the field of marketing and public relations prior to her legal career.

    • Soto v. Galvan – McBrayer’s “Scope of Duty” is Limited, NMDSA Defense News Fall 2008, co-author.

    • Workers Compensation: Exclusivity, Common Law Remedies, and the Reconsideration of the Actual Intent Test – Delgado v. Phelps Dodge Chino, Inc., 32 NMLR 567 (2002).

    • Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2025

    • Martindale-Hubbell Rating: AV Preeminent

    • Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow

    • New Mexico Women of Influence, Albuquerque Business First, 2019

    • Southwest Super Lawyers, Litigation Star, 2019

    • Benchmark Litigation, 40 & Under Hot List, 2019-present

    • Southwest Super Lawyers, Rising Star, Business Litigation 2012-2013

    • Order of the Coif

    • Irwin Stern Moise Award for legal and judicial ethics, co-recipient, 2003

    • University of New Mexico School of Law Clinic Honors, 2003

    • MALSA Graduate of the Year Award, 2003

    • New Mexico Law Review, Manuscript Editor 2002-2003,
      Staff Member 2001-2002

    • Federal Bar Association

    • American Bar AssociationCommerce, Past Member, Board of Directors

    • New Mexico Community Foundation, Past Chairman

    • American Bar Association

    • Leadership New Mexico, 2002

    • Leadership Albuquerque, 1988

Admissions

  • New Mexico, 2003

  • United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, 2004

  • 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, 2004

Education

  • University of New Mexico Law School, 2003, J.D. magna cum laude

  • University of New Mexico, 1998, B.A. Communications and Journalism