James D. McAlister

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Jamie McAlister grew up on a cotton farm in West Texas with seven siblings. After graduating from Plainview High School in 1978, he accepted a scholarship to play football with the New Mexico State Aggies. As the quarterback from 1979–1982, Jamie set the NMSU all-time record for total yardage in a career which stood for fifteen years. He graduated with a BBA in 1983 and MBA in 1984. He worked as an investment advisor with EF Hutton for three years before entering the University of New Mexico School of Law. Since obtaining his law degree from UNM, Jamie has enjoyed a statewide practice for the past 30 years while based in Albuquerque. He is also admitted to practice in Arizona and Montana.

Jamie’s practice is unique because of the significant experience he has developed across diverse areas of the law. He has first-chaired jury trials across the state from Santa Fe to Carlsbad representing major insurance carriers and their insureds, while maintaining a thriving business and estate planning practice for business owners and families. His litigation practice focuses on the areas of commercial disputes, construction defect claims, and personal injury defense, including wrongful death, catastrophic trucking accidents, premises liability, products liability and automobile accidents. He has tried cases before court-appointed Arbitrators, Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, New Mexico State District Court, and Federal District Court for the District of New Mexico. Jamie has led or assisted in the counsel and preparation of more than 1,000 estate and business formation plans over his career.

He has been married to Laurie, a practicing CPA, for 36 years. They raised four children together and are now enjoying the addition of grandchildren into the family. Since becoming recent empty nesters, they have renewed their outdoor activity interests, including fishing, hiking and golfing.