Sarah M. Armstrong
PARTNER
Sarah Armstrong grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and completed her bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico in Journalism & Mass Communication in 2001. Sarah continued her education by obtaining her law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., after which she returned to Albuquerque. In 2004, she was sworn in as a member of the State Bar of New Mexico and has since remained in practice in Albuquerque. Sarah has been active in providing legal education to other practitioners throughout her career. She is currently the chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of New Mexico and has served on the Domestic Relations Rules Committee since being appointed by the New Mexico Supreme Court in 2018.
Sarah practices state-wide in the areas of family law and domestic relations, including divorce, custody, visitation, adoption, child support, spousal support, and complex property division. She firmly believes that a thorough knowledge of both the substantive law and all available methods of resolution, from full-blown litigation to one-on-one mediation, is essential to achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients.
Sarah has completed more than 100 hours of training in alternative dispute resolution and has been formally trained in Collaborative Divorce since 2013. Sarah strives to problem-solve creatively for her clients and their families. Helping people through the legal process by developing equitable solutions provides Sarah with the opportunity to be of service to her community. She utilizes her training in mediation and settlement facilitation, as well her interdisciplinary education, to both advocate for her clients and to support them throughout the divorce and custody process.
When she is not at the office, Sarah spends as much time as possible with her husband, her two sons and her extended family. She is still trying her best to garden and she always enjoys a good book or podcast.
Jessica C. Roth
PARTNER
Jessica C. Roth specializes in all areas of Family Law including: divorce, custody, visitation, child support, adoption, division of property and collaborative practice.
Jessica is a native of Greenwich, Connecticut. In 1997, she completed her undergraduate degree at Syracuse University with a dual major in Information Management & Technology and Public Relations. Jessica earned her law degree from George Mason University School of Law in Arlington, Virginia in 2005.
After graduating from law school, Jessica followed her family out to New Mexico where she was admitted to the bar in September 2005. In 2013 Jessica added a board certification in Family Law to her resume, having completed over 72 hours of additional training in her field and having secured peer and judicial recommendations from within the New Mexico legal community. She was selected as a Super Lawyers’ Rising Star in 2015.
Jessica’s professional philosophy is that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to Family Law. Every client is different and every situation clients may find themselves in is unique. As such, Jessica takes time to get to know her clients’ personal motivations & goals and adapts her representation to meet their needs.
Clients describe Jessica as “engaged” & “compassionate” and commend her as “a champion in the courtroom” and “a beacon of hope” during difficult times in their lives.
Outside of work, Jessica is an adjunct professor at UNM School of Law, where she co-teaches the Collaborative Family Law seminar every year. She is also the President of the Board of Serenity Mesa Recovery Center, a sober living facility for adolescents and young adults. In her free time, Jessica loves to travel and is an obsessive fan of the New York Mets.
Emma L. Whitley
PARTNER
Emma Whitley is a Collaboratively trained lawyer and mediator who provides advocacy and guidance to clients during difficult times. After spending almost two decades handling complex family law matters throughout New Mexico, Emma has seen the pitfalls of protracted litigation and knows that the best results are not handed out in a Court room. Trained in Collaborative divorce as well as advanced mediation, Emma offers a unique skill set that supports a client-driven, goal-oriented process.
Originally from southern New Mexico, Emma practices statewide in all areas of family law including divorce, Collaborative divorce, child custody and support, property division, alimony, and division of retirement funds as well as mediation and settlement facilitation.
Emma is an active member of Albuquerque Collaborative Divorce Alternatives and a Board Member of the New Mexico Collaborative Practice Group.
She was awarded Collaborative Practitioner of the Year in 2023 by the New Mexico Collaborative Practice Group. This award is voted on by Emma’s legal, financial, and mental health peers and colleagues.
When not helping New Mexico families, Emma enjoys time with her own family, Husband Dan and children James and Hollis. She loves helping coach Hollis’ soccer team and taking in nature with James. Emma is also fond of international travel with family and the perspective gained from new experiences.
Emma is a native New Mexican. She holds a JD from the University of New Mexico School of Law with undergraduate degrees in political science and journalism and communication.
Meredith A. Johnstone
PARTNER
Meredith A. Johnstone is a native New Mexican and a graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law. Meredith also earned her Master’s in Business in Administration from the University of New Mexico Robert O. Anderson School of Management. Since her admission to the State Bar of New Mexico in 2010, Meredith has practiced exclusively in the area of family law.
Meredith has a proud and long history of involvement in the family law community in New Mexico as her father practiced family law here for almost forty years. Meredith grew up working in her father’s law firm, and so she understands, and has carried with her into her own practice, the compassion, knowledge, care, and advocacy that is required when representing a client in a family law matter. Meredith believes it is very important to make an early determination in how best to proceed in each family law matter, as no case is the same. Whether it be litigation, mediation, or collaboration, Meredith’s priority is to get her client through their legal issue in the most efficient way possible. The relationships and reputation that Meredith has developed due to her long-standing dedication and commitment to the family law community are invaluable when assisting her clients in resolution of their legal issues.
When not practicing family law, Meredith enjoys playing volleyball and golf, and is proud to say that her golf handicap is continuing to drop each season! Meredith can also be found at the UNM basketball and football games cheering on her Lobos!
Honors & Achievements
- Current President of the New Mexico Collaborative Practice Group
- Current Board Member on the Family Law Section of the State Bar of New Mexico
- Current Board Member on the University of New Mexico School of Law Alumni Association
- Selected as a Super Lawyers’ Rising Star in 2018
Hallie C. Rossbach
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
Hallie Rossbach is a dedicated family law attorney with deep roots in the Land of Enchantment. Hallie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of New Mexico, with a focus in social welfare. Following her undergraduate studies, she attended the University of New Mexico School of Law. During her time at the UNM School of Law, she actively served on the board for the Women’s Law Caucus, advocating for the empowerment of women within the legal profession. Additionally, she served as a board member for the Natural Resources Journal, a collaborative and interdisciplinary resource related Journal. With a strong interest in creating problem solving and reaching amicable solutions, Hallie received training in mediation and collaborative divorce. Prior to becoming an attorney, she worked alongside Judge Gerard J. Lavelle in the Second Judicial District Court, Family Law Division. Hallie resides in Albuquerque with her daughter and partner and spends her free time exploring the natural beauty New Mexico has to offer.
Pamela L. Faris
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
Pamela brings a strong sense of purpose to her work as a family law attorney, combining strategic thinking with a deep commitment to client advocacy. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate some of the most challenging times in their lives and is known for her thoughtful, collaborative approach to resolving conflict. Whether in negotiations or in the courtroom, Pamela is a dedicated advocate who empowers her clients to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Pamela earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Policy from the University of Denver and went on to complete a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a focus on Local Government from the University of Colorado. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Wyoming College of Law. Pamela was awarded the 2023 New Mexico VAP Volunteer Attorney of the Year and 2024 NMVAP Felipe Quintana Memorial Award of Excellence
Originally from the northern suburbs of Denver, Pamela remains closely connected to her family and values those relationships deeply. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, writing, music, movies, travel, and spending time with her many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. She is also an enthusiastic coffee drinker and a fan of Ferris wheels and corny jokes.
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