Tina Muscarella Gooch, a shareholder, serves as one of the firm’s office group leaders and Secretary on the Board of Directors. She has more than a decade of experience in New Mexico representing a variety of clients in civil and commercial litigation, including but not limited to, lawsuits involving employment law, wills and trust law, surety law, construction law, cannabis law, and constitutional law. Ms. Gooch has significant experience in complex commercial litigation. She has litigated cases in New Mexico state and federal courts on a variety of issues, including contested probate and trust disputes, shareholder disputes, easement disputes, professional liability claims, and personal injury claims. Her litigation experience includes pre-lawsuit investigations, discovery, depositions, motions practice, hearings, arbitrations, trials, and appellate briefing. Ms. Gooch has been with the Sutin Firm since 2017 and loves helping clients navigate complex litigation matters. Ms. Gooch also enjoys working with outside counsel to help address their clients’ legal needs in New Mexico.
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Panelist, “Cannabis Panel,” New Mexico Society of Certified Public Accountants’ 2022 New Mexico Tax Conference, December 14, 2022, State Bar of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Whitehead v. Mgmt. & Training Corp., 524 F. Supp. 3d 1155, 2021 WL 1248387 (D.N.M. 2021) (Upholding prison’s restrictions on inmate access to hardbound books as constitutionally valid, and granting Defendants’ motion for summary judgment as to Plaintiff claims).
Lopez v. Roark, 637 Fed. Appx. 520, 2016 WL 805813 (10th Cir. 2016), cert. denied, Lopez v. Roark, 137 S. Ct. 280, 196 L. Ed. 2d 81, 85 USLW 3141, 2016 WL 5640269 (2016) (Upholding district court’s dismissal of prisoners claims of alleged violations of constitutional rights).
Gallegos v. New Mexico Tech, 2014 WL 4293085 (N.M. Ct. App. June 16, 2014) (Application of cost-shifting provisions of offers of settlement pursuant to Rule 1-068 NMRA).
Nettles v. Ticonderoga Owners’ Ass’n, Inc., 2013-NMSC-030, 306 P.3d 441, 2013 WL 3226756 (Homeowners’ associations’ duties and rights to amend governing documents.)
Tierra Realty Tr. LLC v. Vill. of Ruidoso, 2013-NMCA-030, 296 P.3d 500, 2013 WL 309865 (wastewater rate case addressing proper criterion for certifying a class action pursuant to Rule 1-023 NMRA.)
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“Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers® for Litigation – Construction, Albuquerque, 2027
Best Lawyers in America ®, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction, Employment Law – Management & Commercial Litigation, 2027
Best Lawyers in America®, Cannabis Law, Employment Law – Management & Commercial Litigation, 2026
Best Lawyers in America®, Cannabis Law & Employment Law – Management, 2023
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Rating
Albuquerque Journal Readers’ Choice Awards, Top General Attorney, 2022
Construction Lawyers Society of America, Fellow
Southwest Super Lawyers, Rising Stars — Civil Litigation: Defense
Order of the Coif
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Sutin, Thayer & Browne, APC — Office Group Leader, 2023–Present
Family Friendly New Mexico — Business Leadership Council Member, 2020–Present
State Bar of New Mexico, Cannabis Law Section — Chair, 2024; Board Member, 2019–Present
Albuquerque Bar Association — Former Member
New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association — Member
American Bar Association — Member
Construction Lawyers Society of America — Fellow
Admissions
New Mexico, 2008
U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico, 2008
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, 2012
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 2015
U.S. Supreme Court, 2016
Education
University of New Mexico Law School, 2008, J.D., magna cum laude
University of San Diego, 2003, B.A. International Relations, cum laude
Litigated cases in New Mexico state and federal courts on a variety of issues, including:
Complex Commercial Litigation
Business & Corporate Disputes
Employment Law
Probate & Trust Litigation
Construction Law
General Counsel guidance
OMA and IRPA compliance
Constitutional Law
Shareholder Disputes
Property & Easement Disputes
Surety Law
Miller Act & Little Miller Act Claims
Personal Injury Defense
Pre-Suit Investigations
Discovery & Depositions
Motions Practice
Arbitration & Trial
Represent a diverse range of clients in complex civil and commercial litigation in state and federal courts throughout New Mexico while serving in key leadership positions within the firm.
Represent clients in sophisticated commercial disputes involving businesses, shareholders, contracts, property interests, and other complex legal matters.
Litigate contested probate and trust matters, including disputes involving wills, trusts, estates, and fiduciary issues.
Represent employers and other clients in employment-related litigation and disputes.
Handle construction and surety matters, including claims arising under the Miller Act and Little Miller Act.
Provide OMA and OPRA compliance trainings, and guidance.
Represent clients in professional liability and legal malpractice matters.
Litigate constitutional claims in federal and state courts.
Handle property and easement disputes and other real estate-related litigation.
Represent clients in personal injury matters.
Manage cases throughout all stages of litigation, including pre-suit investigations, discovery, depositions, dispositive and other motions, hearings, arbitration, trial, and appellate briefing.
Collaborate with national and out-of-state counsel to address clients' litigation and legal needs in New Mexico.
Serve as Secretary on the firm's Board of Directors, contributing to firm governance and organizational leadership.
Serve as an Office Group Leader, supporting firm operations, personnel, and strategic initiatives.
