Catastrophic Injury and Wrongful Death
Our firm represents people who have been injured or killed by the reckless or negligent acts of others. Our attorneys engage in all levels of investigation, discovery, witness preparation, motion practice, and trials in catastrophic injury and death cases. For example, Mr. Ortiz recently successfully tried a malpractice case against a large hospital. After the defendant refused to offer any settlement, Mr. Ortiz was able to secure a $1.3 million verdict for his client against the hospital after a one week jury trial. The case involved complex medical issues and several experts. In another example, the firm recently negotiated a high six-figure settlement in a case involving negligent road maintenance leading to a catastrophic motorcycle accident.
These injury cases can be serious vehicle collisions or complex medical malpractice issues resulting in catastrophic injury or death. In either case, as part of their litigation experience, Mr. Ortiz and Mr. Zamora have briefed and/or argued cases in State District Courts, the New Mexico Court of Appeals and the New Mexico Supreme Court, as well as to the United States Tenth Circuit Court. In each circumstance, Ortiz & Zamora law firm is prepared to help individuals and families with their catastrophic injury or wrongful death cases.
Education Law
The attorneys of Ortiz & Zamora proudly represent school districts and higher education institutions around New Mexico. The representation covers the diverse areas of practice required by schools, from employment and contract issues, to student rights, constitutional issues, special education, board/superintendent matters, property, complex public policy, and open government/ethics matters. In addition to providing day-to-day assistance to clients on urgent matters, the firm’s representation also requires in-court advocacy for schools when disagreements lead to lawsuits, hearings and trials.
Labor and employer-employee law, including civil rights claims
Our Law Firm represents a variety of public and private clients in labor and employment matters including, but not limited to Title VII (discrimination), ADA (disability), ADEA (age) and collective bargaining matters. Our attorneys also frequently assist clients with other labor and employment issues including FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) issues, USERRA issues (rights of military personnel), Title IX pay issues (gender), whistleblower claims, and the ADA (disability) and ADEA (age), PERA benefits and other matters.
The firm serves as management’s representative in collective bargaining negotiations. For example, Mr. Zamora regularly assists several large institutional clients in reaching practical and workable agreements with their employee unions.
Where litigation becomes necessary, the Firm is fully capable of pressing a client’s rights in the court room. For example, Mr. Ortiz is currently suing a large restaurant chain for discriminatory termination of a staff member. The firm’s experience also includes federal suits for alleged violations of the First, Fourth and Fifth Amendments under §1983.
Mr. Ortiz and Mr. Zamora also have been presenters at annual conferences of the Northern New Mexico Association of Human Resources Professionals, providing training on managing difficult employment situations and handling workplace discrimination claims.
Representation of Small Businesses
Our attorneys regularly serve as counsel for small businesses, assisting business owners and staff in transactions, contract matters, and personnel issues. The firm handles drafting, negotiating, interpreting and enforcing or defending employment contracts, professional services contracts, construction contracts, equipment leases, commercial leases, utility service agreements, technology agreements, real property purchase and sales agreements, and settlement agreements. For example, Mr. Zamora has litigated and resolved multiple lease and construction disputes for small business clients and governmental entities. Mr. Zamora assists clients in structuring agreements that protect the client from conflict before it happens.
And where such agreements need to be enforced, our law firm is prepared to litigate. For example, Mr. Ortiz recently successfully defended an institutional client from a lawsuit claiming one of its buildings was infested with a range of biological contaminants including mold spores. The case involved complicated litigation of construction, design, and building maintenance matters.
Real Estate Issues
Real estate is an area where our law firm’s clients regularly seek our assistance. The attorneys of Ortiz & Zamora have experience working on everything from sewer line easements to complicated leases of property. For example, Mr. Zamora has recently been involved in a client’s defense against a plaintiff’s attempt to force an easement across property. We also have assisted our clients with the purchase, sale, lease, and transfer of real property, as well as shepherding the process through the New Mexico Board of Finance approval process for public clients. We have represented our clients in lease negotiations in their role either as landlord or as tenant, often drafting the lease provisions. In short, our law firm is experienced in real estate transactions for clients and can litigate those interests in court when necessary.