Our Expertise
deGraauw Law Firm, PC is committed to providing high-quality representation to clients with litigation needs. Our firm is well-known for its strong trial advocacy skills, and have received several awards for the services that we deliver to our clients. We are active members of the Albuquerque community, serving on many different boards and committees both within the legal community and in outside community interests.
All of our attorneys are experienced litigators. We know how to prepare a case to have success at trial. We are proud of our history of results, and will dedicate our resources to help you obtain a positive outcome in your case.
Our firm understands the difficulties that arise during litigation. We are tenacious advocates for our clients, working tirelessly to help them achieve positive results. When there are important decisions that need to be made, we can explain all available choices and offer our clients guidance that they can use to determine what is best for them. We are thorough in our evaluation of the available options, because we want our clients to have the details they need as they consider the right move to make for their future. From early settlement negotiations to complex jury trials, we will be there, aggressively fighting for our clients.
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Meet Our Attorneys
Partner
J. Andrew deGraauw
With 100% of his practice devoted to civil litigation, Mr. deGraauw enjoys trying cases before New Mexico juries, as well as alternative dispute resolution. In addition to his active practice representing clients, he frequently serves as a presiding mediator or arbitrator for matters including complex personal injury and wrongful death cases, as well as business disputes, employment and construction litigation.
Mr. deGraauw graduated from Louisiana State University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree, where he was President of the Design College and President of Tau Sigma Delta- the Architecture Honors Society. He earned his law degree from Tulane University Law School in 2006, where he served as Managing Editor of the Tulane Environmental Law Journal and earned the Certificate of Specialization in Environmental Law. During law school, Mr. deGraauw completed clerkships at private law firms in Louisiana and New Mexico, as well as an externship at the New Mexico Court of Appeals. He returned to New Mexico in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and completed his final year of law school at the University of New Mexico Law School.
Mr. deGraauw served as Labor Commissioner on the tripartite New Mexico Labor and Industrial Commission, hearing appeals from the Labor and Industrial Division. He also served the Young Lawyers Division as Liaison to the Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law Section of the State Bar. Mr. deGraauw has also been certified by the State Bar of New Mexico and appointed by the New Mexico Supreme Court to serve as a “Bridge the Gap Program” Mentor, allowing him the opportunity to provide guidance and advice to new attorneys in the state. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association and the Albuquerque Bar Association. Mr. deGraauw primarily practices in the following areas of civil litigation: wrongful death and personal injury litigation, products liability, contract disputes, construction law, insurance and bad faith litigation. He is admitted to practice in all New Mexico State courts as well as the New Mexico Federal District Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
He has received the following awards and recognition during his practice:
AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell (MH) rating
MH Client Distinction Award
Selection to The Best Lawyers in America
Personal Injury Litigation- Defendants
Insurance Law
Product Liability Litigation- Defendants
Albuquerque Business First "40 Under Forty" Award, 2014 (given to the state's top young professionals each year, based on professional achievement, leadership and community involvement)
Selection to Southwest Super Lawyers (awarded to 5% of attorneys in the Southwest Region who “exhibit excellence in practice”)
Southwest Super Lawyers, Rising Star recognition (awarded to less than 2.5% of attorneys in the state, based on peer recognition and professional achievement)
U.S. News and World Report, Best Law Firms recognition, Personal Injury Litigation- Defendants
Selection to National Academy of Jurisprudence, “Premier 100” New Mexico trial attorney list
Selection to America's Most Honored Professionals - Top 1%
American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, 10 Best list for New Mexico
Selection to “America’s Top 100”
Top 100 Attorneys, New Mexico
Top 100 Civil Defense Litigators
Lifetime Achievement Award
Selection to Marquis Who's Who
Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award
Selection to the National Trial Lawyers- Top 100
Education
TULANE UNIVERSITY
Juris Doctor, 2006
Certificate of Specialization in Environmental Law, 2006
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
B.A., Landscape Architecture, 2003
Bar Admissions
New Mexico State Courts
New Mexico Federal District Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Contact information
PARTNER
DeeAnn L. Sanchez
DeeAnn L. Sanchez is a New Mexico native, and alumni of Belen High School, the University of New Mexico, New Mexico Highlands University, and Arizona Summit Law School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication, with a minor in Political Science from the University of New Mexico in 2010, and then went on to pursue a Master’s of Business Administration Degree from New Mexico Highlands University in 2014. Simultaneously with her graduate program studies, Ms. Sanchez worked full time as a Special Education teacher with the Albuquerque Public Schools from 2011 until 2014. In August of 2014, Ms. Sanchez relocated to Phoenix, Arizona to pursue her Juris Doctor degree, which she earned in December of 2016 from Arizona Summit Law School. During law school, Ms. Sanchez participated in the mock trial program, and was nominated as “Outstanding Attorney” at the annual regional competition. In her law school tenure, Ms. Sanchez maintained an Honors GPA, and was a consistent earner of placement on the Dean’s List for academic excellence. Ms. Sanchez served on the Hispanic Law Students’ Association General Committee and devoted many hours to community service in the metro Phoenix area.
Ms. Sanchez has ample experience in contract preparation and modification, criminal law, prosecution, family law and general civil litigation. She served the New Mexico 13th Judicial District as an Assistant District Attorney/Prosecutor for 3 years at the onset of her legal career, prior to transitioning into the private sector in early 2021. In her tenure with the 13th Judicial District, Ms. Sanchez served the residents of Valencia County with pride and compassion for some of the jurisdiction’s most vulnerable victims of crime. Ms. Sanchez took special interest in domestic violence crimes and aiding not only in the criminal prosecution of perpetrators, but also in the rehabilitation of victims and their families who have experienced these cycles of abuse. She worked diligently through and with the Valencia County Domestic Violence Task Force, serving as a Planning Committee Member to help combat the effects of domestic violence in the area, and to proactively prevent a rise in statistics. She was recognized as “New Mexico Junior Prosecutor of the Year” for the year 2020. She has practiced in Magistrate, Metropolitan and District Courts across the state, and has appeared in front of multiple Judges and juries, with an impressive success rate in all bench and jury trials.
Through her experience in prosecuting felony crimes such as community crimes, domestic violence, crimes against children, sexual assault, homicides and white-collar crimes, Ms. Sanchez has gained a plethora of knowledge which she has shared through the presentation of trainings to local law enforcement agencies over the years. Ms. Sanchez is licensed to practice in New Mexico State Courts, is a member of the American Bar Association, the New Mexico Bar Association, and the Valencia County Bar Association.
Ms. Sanchez also won first place in the category of personal injury for the Albuquerque Journal Reader’s Choice Awards for 2023; this award recognizes and celebrates the best our community has to offer by over 85,000 ballots submitted by the Journal’s readers and our clients.
Education
ARIZONA SUMMIT LAW SCHOOL
Juris Doctor, 2016
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
Bachelor of Arts, Communications, Concentration in Public Communication, 2010
Minor in Political Science, 2010
NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY
Masters, Business Administration
2014, Concentration in International
Business and Finance
Bar Admissions
New Mexico State Courts
New Mexico Federal District Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Contact information
PARTNER
Elizabeth G. Perkins
Elizabeth G. Perkins grew up in a rural area east of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Before attending law school, she worked in the healthcare field for over ten years gaining experience in both the dental and medical fields. Ms. Perkins graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2011, receiving Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Psychology. She then earned a Master of Public Health in 2015 from A.T. Still University. After her undergraduate and masters-level studies, Ms. Perkins attended Law School at the University of New Mexico School of Law. She graduated in 2018 with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, cum laude. During her studies at law school, Ms. Perkins served as Citation Editor for the New Mexico Law Review and successfully completed the Southwest Indian Law Clinic.
Ms. Perkins’ practice has included representing individual and corporate clients in the state in a wide array of cases, including construction defect, premises liability, motor vehicle accidents, professional liability, wrongful death, insurance bad faith, employment discrimination, and appellate cases. In her free time, Ms. Perkins enjoys spending time with her two dogs, drawing and painting, playing soccer, and visiting her two young nieces in Arizona. She is licensed in the New Mexico and Arizona State Courts, the United States District Court for New Mexico, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, and the Federal Bar Association. Ms. Perkins has earned the Rising Star recognition by Southwest Super Lawyers; this recognition is awarded to less than 2.5% of attorneys in the state, based on peer recognition and professional achievement.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2018
A.T. STILL UNIVERSITY
Master of Public Health, 2015
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
Bachelor of Science in Biology, 2011
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, 2011
Bar Admissions
New Mexico State Courts
Arizona State Courts
New Mexico Federal District Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Contact information
PARTNER
Chad D. Willis
Mr. Willis graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2014, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a Concentration in Professional Writing, and a Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies. After his undergraduate studies, Mr. Willis attended Law School at the University of New Mexico School of Law, graduating in 2018 with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. During his time in college, Mr. Willis was a recipient of an International Studies Distinction, an Honors Medallion, was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and was a member of the University's Honors College. He was also placed on the Honor Roll and Dean's List.
Since graduation, Mr. Willis has devoted his entire practice to civil litigation. In that time, he has not only gained a passion for insurance and coverage questions, but he has obtained a deep understanding of the unique issues present in insurance defense within the New Mexico community. To solve these issues, Mr. Willis has defended clients through trials, written coverage opinions on complex insurance problems, litigated countless matters through the arbitration process, as well as advocated and argued for his clients through every step of his representation. In doing so, Mr. Willis has been selected for inclusion into Marquis Who’s Who, Elite Lawyers, Lawyers of Distinction, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, and the 2024 Top 50 Lawyers in America list.
Mr. Willis is licensed in the New Mexico State Courts, the United States District Court for New Mexico, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Federalist Society, the New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association and the Federal Bar Association. Mr. Willis' primary areas of practice include insurance defense, including coverage and bad faith, personal injury and wrongful death litigation, products liability, and premises liability.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2018
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
Bachelor of Arts, English, Concentration in Professional Writing, 2014
Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies, 2014
Bar Admissions
New Mexico State Courts
New Mexico Federal District Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Contact information
ASSOCIATE
Shylah M. Peralta
Ms. Peralta graduated cum laude from the University of New Mexico in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy. During her undergraduate studies, she earned Dean’s List honors every year. Ms. Peralta earned her law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2023, cum laude and with Dean’s List honors. She was the recipient of the Professor Michael B. Browde Award, recognizing excellence in Constitutional Law.
During law school, she gained valuable experience both in government and in the private sector, clerking for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, the New Mexico Public Defender’s Office, as well as the Second and Thirteenth District Attorneys’ Offices. She also clerked for a private firm and Advocacy Partners LLC Family Disability Service. Ms. Peralta served as a Teaching Fellow for the Marshall Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project and as a Constitutional Law Tutor for the Law School.
Ms. Peralta is licensed in the New Mexico State Courts and the United States District Court for New Mexico. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the New Mexico and the Federal Bar Associations. Ms. Peralta’s primary areas of practice include personal injury and wrongful death litigation, products liability, premises liability and insurance defense, including coverage and bad faith.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2023
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Philosophy, 2019
Bar Admissions
New Mexico State Courts
New Mexico Federal District Court
Contact information
ASSOCIATE
Kevin E. Garcia
Kevin Eloy Garcia was raised in Belen, New Mexico. As a fourth-generation alfa farmer and cattle rancher, Kevin helps his family keep the agricultural industry alive. In 2019, Mr. Garcia earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Political Science. During his undergraduate studies, he interned at the 13th and 2nd Judicial District Attorney Office’s where he helped prosecute special victim’s cases. He also worked for a jury consultation firm where he coordinated mock jury trials and researched jury pools, all which helped produce successful outcomes for many civil lawsuits.
Mr. Garcia earned his Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2023, with Dean’s List Honors. During law school Mr. Garcia excelled in his clinical law experience where he helped underserved New Mexicans navigate the legal system. The UNM Law Clinic nominated and Mr. Garcia received the Justice Pamela B. Minzner Award in Professionalism and Legal Ethics for his work in the clinic. Once a year the New Mexico Bar awards its highest honor as the Justice Pamela B. Minzner Professionalism Award. UNM Law School honors a law student with a similar award. Justice Minzner, the first female Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court, exhibited professionalism that was beyond the minimal mandatory ethical requirements. Mr. Garcia tries to live up to the high bar that Justice Minzner set.
After law school Mr. Garcia went to work for the historic law firm started by the Honorable Tibo J. Chavez. The late State Senator, Lieutenant Governor, and District Court Judge for New Mexico cared deeply for New Mexicans and successfully passed the Fair Employment Practices Act of 1949. While working for the son of the Hon. Tibo Chavez, Tibo J. Chavez Jr., Mr. Garcia was mentored to treat clients with dignity and respect, and to be a zealous advocate. Mr. Garcia then had the privilege to serve as a prosecutor with the 13th Judicial District. As a prosecutor Mr. Garcia protected the voices and rights of domestic violence victims and brought DWI offenders to justice.
Mr. Garcia is licensed in New Mexico State Courts. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the New Mexico Bar Association, and the Federalist Society. Mr. Garcia’s primary areas of practice include personal injury and wrongful death litigation, products liability, premises liability, and insurance defense, including coverage and bad faith.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2023
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Political Science, 2019
Bar Admissions
New Mexico State Courts
New Mexico Federal District Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Contact information
ASSOCIATE
Riley S. Daniels
Riley S. Daniels graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a Minor in Business from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where she was a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society and was a Paideia Scholar. She earned her Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2021, where she served as a Staff Writer for The Scholar, the school’s Law Review on Race and Social Justice. While in law school, Ms. Daniels successfully competed in the Schlueter Moot Court Competition, was a Presidential Award Nominee, and served as a Student Attorney for the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic.
She worked as a Compliance Attorney at the largest personal injury law firm in Texas prior to making the move to New Mexico. Ms. Daniels also has experience as a Legal Assistant and Legal Intern for private firms. She earned the Lexis Advance Proficiency Certification and is proficient in Spanish.
Ms. Daniels is licensed in the New Mexico State Courts and the United States District Court for New Mexico. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the New Mexico and the Federal Bar Associations. Her primary areas of practice include personal injury litigation, products liability, premises liability and insurance law.
Education
ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2021
SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies, 2017
Minor in Business, 2017
Bar Admissions
New Mexico State Courts
New Mexico Federal District Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Contact information
OF COUNSEL
Peter J. Eicker
Peter J. Eicker is both of counsel for the deGraauw Law Firm and is the founder and principal attorney at Eicker Law. A highly experienced trial attorney and former federal prosecutor, Peter focuses his practice on complex litigation involving wrongful death, personal injury, and commercial litigation.
While serving as an Assistant United States Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, Peter gained significant experience and honed his skills in investigating and litigating complex cases. Peter’s background includes substantial work on white-collar and public corruption matters like bank fraud, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, money laundering, tax crimes, identity theft, and other financial crimes. During his time at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, Peter was regarded as the subject matter expert on cybercrime and the government’s collection and use of electronic evidence. This included evidence from cellular phones, computers, multinational technology companies, and Title III wiretaps. Peter has a deep understanding of how the government makes use of federal laws like the Stored Communications Act, the Wiretap Act, and the pen register-trap and trace statute to bolster the government’s case. This experience allows him to provide clients with invaluable expertise regarding the ways to challenge and defend against the government’s evidence.
Peter also managed the federal Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force in New Mexico. In that role, Peter led long-term investigations and litigated cases involving large-scale domestic and international drug trafficking organizations. This experience provided insight into how the government builds its prosecutions. Peter now uses that experience to craft strategic defenses to the government’s case. Prior to becoming a federal prosecutor, Peter worked as a state prosecutor for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in Phoenix, Arizona. In that role, Peter managed a high-volume caseload that included almost every type of criminal offense, such as driving under the influence, burglary, theft, firearms offenses, aggravated assault, armed robbery, and first-degree murder. Based on his extensive experience as a federal and state prosecutor, Peter brings unparalleled insight and expertise to the realm of criminal defense.
Peter has also worked in civil practice, representing individuals and companies in high-stakes litigation involving wrongful death, products liability, medical malpractice, premises liability, and personal injury. This experience involved representing insurance companies in catastrophic injury cases. Peter has tried numerous bench and jury trials. His extensive courtroom experience ranges from bench trials in limited jurisdiction courts to some of the most complex federal jury trials. He is a member of the State Bars of New Mexico, Arizona and Hawaii and is a member of the H. Vearle Payne American Inn of Court.
Education
THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL
Juris Doctor, 2007
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, 2003
Bar Admissions
New Mexico, Arizona, and Hawaii State Courts
New Mexico Federal District Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Contact information
OF COUNSEL
Nels D. Orell
Mr. Orell graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2005, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with honors. After his undergraduate studies, Mr. Orell attended Law School at the University of New Mexico School of Law, graduating in 2010 with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, earning honors throughout. Since graduation, Mr. Orell has successfully litigated cases both for plaintiffs and defendants. Utilizing the knowledge and skills gained from both sides of litigation, he has proven to be a valuable asset for his clients in personal injury legal representation. Mr. Orell has extensive experience navigating complex insurance coverage disputes and pursuing declaratory relief on such issues.
Mr. Orell is licensed in the New Mexico State Courts, the United States District Court for New Mexico, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association and the Federal Bar Association. Mr. Orell’s primary areas of practice include insurance defense, including coverage and bad faith, personal injury and wrongful death litigation, products liability, and premises liability.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2010
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 2005
Bar Admissions
New Mexico State Courts
New Mexico Federal District Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit