Anita Kelley Law represents clients in employment law, family law, personal injury cases, and more!

Anita is passionate about helping clients in employment law, family law, personal injury and other cases.

She believes that all workers are entitled to a safe, healthy work environment, that consumers and injured clients have rights and that divorce is NOT a dirty word. She will help you find freedom from a toxic situation whether it’s in the workplace or at home, and she will fight for your rights no matter what legal matter you’re involved in.

From Working in Big Law to Working for the Little Guy or Gal and Small Businesses

Anita spent the first six years of her legal career working as a defense attorney at prominent law firms, including the Albuquerque office of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, an AmLaw 200 firm that represents big businesses and insurance companies.

While she appreciated those opportunities and learned a lot from her mentors and on-the-job training, she realized she was working for the wrong side. Anita knew she would prefer helping plaintiffs, employees, small businesses and everyday people better, so in 2012 she quit being an associate at large law firms fighting for Big Business interests and started Anita Kelley Law, where she can fight for YOU!

Anita knows how defense firms operate and can anticipate their plan of attack in litigation. She has knowledge and experience in the courtroom and otherwise representing clients in various hearings, mediations, arbitrations and motion practice. No one but someone who has worked for the other side can best analyze and advise you on the strengths and weaknesses of your case and no one but someone with experience can help you navigate the courtroom and represent you in litigation.

From Blue Collar Beginnings to Fighting Big Business Interests

Anita grew up in a small working class town in south central Pennsylvania. As a first generation college student, she is grateful for the experience of attending Sarah Lawrence College tuition-free thanks to its generous alumni, but in order to afford living expenses in New York and an amazing year of studying abroad at St. Louis University’s campus in Madrid, Spain, she worked multiple jobs and created entrepreneurial opportunities for herself throughout high school and then until she obtained her bachelor’s degree in 2003, which was concentrated in the areas of Creative Writing, Latin American Literature and Spanish.

Immediately thereafter, Anita moved to the Land of Enchantment to attend the University of New Mexico School of Law, which offered an exceptional legal education at a comparatively low cost, but she continued her entrepreneurial pursuits in order to afford it. Since Anita has been everything from a waitress to a call center operator to a convenience store clerk and more, she knows first-hand the importance of a safe and healthy working environment, free from discrimination, harassment or retaliation. And since she has been the owner of several small businesses and currently owns and runs her law firm, and has hired dozens of employees throughout the years, she knows how important it is for employers to know the law and how to apply it so that they can avoid unnecessary time and money spent in legal proceedings.

In law school, Anita was a recipient of the Peggy Browning Fund for Labor Rights and she interned at the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, which further fueled her passion for employment and labor law.

She has experience in many types of employment law cases including discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment, Whistleblower Protection Act, unemployment insurance benefits, labor board disputes, licensing board issues, Family Medical Leave Act issues, unpaid wages and incorrect classification of employees as contractors or as having exempt status rather than being paid hourly wages. She also represents clients in filing Charges of Discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Human Rights Bureau (HRB).

Fighting for your Rights in Family Law Cases

Anita has extensive experience in divorce, custody, CYFD and other family law cases, ever since law school when she served as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in cases involving children placed in foster care. She has also advocated for parents and handled adoptions and guardian ad litem cases.

In family law court, Anita has represented clients and argued cases involving a variety of disputes. Although it may feel like there can be a lot of shame and stigma involved in divorce, custody and parental rights proceedings, Anita believes that it is best for each parent to be the healthiest, happiest version of themselves and sometimes that means separating from their current relationship or partner. She will help you find freedom and a new start!

Representing New Mexicans with Pride

Ever since Anita moved to Albuquerque in 2003, she has loved living in the Land of Enchantment. She earned her Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2006. She has lived here ever since and she loves green chile and Sandia sunsets so much that she now considers it home. After growing up in Pennsylvania, going to college in New York, as well as traveling all around to, and sometimes temporarily living in, many different countries, states, cities and towns, Anita can confidently say that there’s nowhere else she’d rather be!

She became licensed to practice law in state and Federal court in New Mexico in 2006 and has done so ever since. Many of her cases are in New Mexico and she aims to help the little gal or guy beat Goliath here as much as possible. No matter what part of the state you live in, she can represent you.

Also Representing Some Employment Law Clients Nationwide

Anita practices Federal sector Equal Employment Opportunity law for government workers as well as other administrative and arbitration cases nationwide. When necessary she also teams up with local co-counsel for employment cases in other jurisdictions.

No matter your employment law issue, Anita may be able to help or to refer you to someone who can, so please don’t hesitate to contact Anita Kelley Law. Please note that Anita practices family law solely in New Mexico.

Representing You in a Variety of Different Cases

Anita also has experience in personal injury, criminal defense, wills and trust, foreclosure defense, landlord/tenant, construction law, and commercial and general civil litigation. She spent six years working at prominent civil defense and litigation boutique firms in Albuquerque before opening her own firm in 2012. Therefore she is qualified to represent you in many different types of cases and legal matters, and if she can’t help, she will do her best to refer you to an attorney who can.

Anita represents injured clients in car accident, slip and falls and other personal injury cases, as well as workers’ compensation clients who were injured while at work. She believes in getting justice from insurance companies and big businesses and will fight for fair compensation for you.

Writing for Your Rights and Advocating for You Every Step of the Way

Anita has always loved to write and has had numerous articles, essays and short stories published in various publications, and has also self-published novels in a variety of different genres. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in creative writing and literature from Sarah Lawrence College and she studied Latin American and Spanish Literature and language at St. Louis University’s Madrid Campus for a year. She was an Editor of the New Mexico Law Review in law school, which taught her the best way to perform legal research and writing that can benefit her clients.

In her law practice, Anita has a lot of experience with written advocacy including briefs, pleadings and letters. Since she loves storytelling in any form, her favorite part of practicing law is helping a client tell their story to a mediator, judge or jury.

She was the President of the Alternative Dispute Resolution student organization in law school and believes that many disputes can be solved with effective written and oral communication. She has served as a mediator both informally, between employees and employers, as well as formally, when appointed in cases. She also enjoys representing clients in mediations and otherwise favorably negotiating settlements. Overall, whether it is in the courtroom or at a settlement conference, Anita is an experienced trial lawyer and “storyteller” who loves presenting the facts (plot), witnesses (characters) and timeline (storyline) to the jury, judge or mediator with the goal of getting her clients the happily ever after ending their story deserves!

Set up a Consultation

If you think Anita can help you with your case, please contact Anita Kelley Law to set up a consultation by texting (505) 750-3036 today!

Thank you for allowing Anita the opportunity to speak with you regarding your legal needs.

¡Se habla español!

Areas of Special Interest and Experience

• Whistleblower employment law cases, in which teachers or administrators of schools are advocating for special education resources. Anita has won settlements for these clients who were wrongfully terminated or otherwise retaliated against after speaking up on behalf of special needs children when their employers were not following special education laws.

• School law in general, including ensuring that children are given evaluations and IEPs that are followed, and that students are free from civil rights violations while at school and school district employees are free from discrimination or retaliation while at work. Anita has won settlements for students who were bullied by classmates and sexually harassed by classmates, as well as representing teachers who are neurodivergent and/or who helped neurodivergent students try to access the resources to which they are entitled.
  
• Mental illness disability discrimination in employment law cases. This is an area that is very stigmatized and can be difficult to navigate but Anita has won settlements for employees who requested reasonable accommodations due to their mental health and were denied or retaliated against for even asking.

• Pregnancy discrimination and sexual harassment in employment law cases. Anita has represented countless clients who were preyed on by their bosses or dismissed due to being pregnant.
  
• Medical marijuana patients protected by the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act in the workplace. This is a new and ever-expanding area of law in which Anita has experience and expertise.
  
• Other discrimination and retaliation cases in the workplace, including gender, age, race, religious belief or lack thereof, physical disability and sexual orientation discrimination.
  
• Helping people find freedom from toxic or abusive relationships and domestic violence situations in divorce or civil restraining order cases.
  
• Helping children be free from the abusive and toxic atmosphere of parents who can’t get along and are better off living apart.
  
• Helping children and birth parents stay together in foster care/adoption/CYFD cases when the parents need resources and support to become the best versions of themselves possible for their children.
  
• Foreclosure defense and counter-claims against banks for homeowners’ and/or consumer rights violations.
  
• Small claims court suits or other cases of consumer and/or employee rights against Amazon and other large corporations.

Personal Interests

In her spare time, Anita loves spending time with her large family and circle of close friends and workout buddies. She teaches and attends Zumba classes all around Albuquerque and other cities and attends weightlifting classes at a local community gym (ZonAtletica). She volunteers by doing Zumba masterclass fundraisers for kids’ athletic events and has been a foster parent to dogs, although currently her family had already adopted so many pets (including dogs, cats and rabbits) that the inn is full!

She loves reading, writing and storytelling in any form, as well as traveling (especially to the beach!), going to concerts or Broadway shows (her favorite is Rent!), skiing, walking/jogging, camping, and otherwise being outdoors. As a former band geek and lifelong book nerd, her audiobook and music obsession ensures that you can spot her with headphones on whenever she’s alone, which isn’t very often considering that Anita is a proud mom of four kids and a bunch of fur kids and is married to a web developer.

Set up a Consultation

Contact Anita Kelley Law to set up a consultation by texting (505) 750-3036 today!

A note from Anita: Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak with you regarding your legal needs. It is my pleasure to represent you or to find someone who can.

¡Se habla español!

Education

• Bachelor of Arts, Sarah Lawrence College.
  Bronxville, New York, 2003.
  
• One year studying abroad at St. Louis University’s Madrid Campus.
  Madrid, Spain, 1999-2000.
  
• Juris Doctor, University of New Mexico School of Law.
  Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2006.

Admittance, Licensure, Representation and Referral Capabilities

• Admitted to practice law in all courts in the state of New Mexico as well as the Federal District of New Mexico and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, with an active license with the New Mexico State Bar as of September 2006.
  
• Representing clients nationwide in Federal Sector Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) cases and other administrative courts and arbitrations.
  
• Representing clients in disciplinary matters in front of licensing boards in the State of New Mexico, including nurses, realtors and attorneys.
  
• Representing clients in many different administrative forums such as the National Labor Relations Board and the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Tribunal.
  
• Representing some employment law clients in other jurisdictions as co-counsel with local attorneys when necessary.
  
• Representing clients in matters involving Children, Youth and Family Department (CYFD) proceedings.
  
• Helping potential clients find representation in all cases including those that need referrals elsewhere. Examples include employees on or near Native American Representatives who need representation in tribal courts, criminal defense cases and other cases outside the realm of expertise.

Do You Need a Lawyer? Anita May be Able to Represent You!

If you need a lawyer, contact Anita Kelley Law by texting (505) 750-3036 today or by using the methods listed on the Homepage.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you about your legal needs. When you need a lawyer, Anita is here for you!

¡Se habla español!

You can also book a paid one-hour consult on Anita’s calendar by clicking here: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ2StEV9m-dyj53uf9cj1VufQWp9sswS9jny0Q2WLkAWPlt7BlivvkJkbrJAWLhXD-WbgEot__xn

If you are a current client, call or text (505) 750-3036 or email amk@anitakelleylaw.com.

All meetings and phone calls with potential or current clients are scheduled by appointment only.

Our hours vary and we do not do walk-in appointments. We are happy to set up a mutually convenient time to discuss your current or potential case.

Thank you for your interest in Anita Kelley Law; we look forward to hearing from you!

PLEASE NOTE: This website constitutes a legal advertisement. Anita Kelley Law cannot promise any specific legal outcome or result due to the unpredictable nature of litigation. General or past results do not guarantee future results because every case must be evaluated and pursued based on its own facts and merits. No attorney/client relationship is formed until or unless an Agreement is entered into by the parties.