Molly Schmidt-Nowara |

Bio

Born and raised in Albuquerque, Molly graduated magna cum laude from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2001. Molly is an experienced trial lawyer and is dedicated to client-centered representation. From 2001 to 2005, Molly worked in Washington, D.C., first in a judicial clerkship and then joining the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, one of the premier public defender offices in the country. Molly then returned to New Mexico as an Assistant Public Defender in the Santa Fe office of the Department of the Public Defender. While there, Molly represented hundreds of clients in serious felony matters from arraignment through trial and post-conviction issues.

In 2007, Molly entered private practice, first at the Santa Fe office of the Rothstein Law Firm, then Freedman Boyd Hollander Goldberg Ives & Duncan, P.A. in 2008, and most recently, Garcia Ives Nowara in 2012.

Molly brings to her cases extensive trial experience. Molly represents those accused of violent crimes (including homicide, sex crimes, and child abuse), white-collar crimes (including healthcare fraud, embezzlement, and fraud), drug crimes, driving under the influence, weapons charges, domestic violence, and criminal appeals.

Molly also specializes in representing professionals in administrative hearings involving professional licensure (including medical professionals) and security clearances. Molly has successfully defended clients before the various licensing boards in New Mexico, including the New Mexico Medical Board, Board of Nursing, and Board of Dental Health Care.

Molly has been selected by Super Lawyers magazine since 2012 as a “Super Lawyer” in the area of criminal defense. In 2015, Molly was named a “Top 25” lawyer in New Mexico by Super Lawyers. Molly is also a frequent presenter in New Mexico and around the country in Continuing Legal Education conferences. She has taught as an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law since 2009.

Molly joined her friends and colleagues, Matthew L. Garcia, and Zachary Ives in practice because she shares their dedication to justice and rigor in the practice of law.

Education

University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.A., 1997
University of New Mexico School of Law, J.D. 2001 (Magna Cum Laude, Order of the Coif, Clinical Honors, 2001 Recipient of Julia Raymond McCulloch Memorial Award for Constitutional Law and Margaret Keiper Daily Award for Equal Justice)
Awards and Recognition

2013 ACLU-NM Cooperating Attorney of the Year for her representation and exoneration of an abortion provider falsely accused of malpractice
Recipient of 2013 New Mexico State Bar Justice Pamela B. Minzner Outstanding Advocacy for Women
Super Lawyers© Rising Star in Criminal Defense (2012-2013) and Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense (2014-2015)
Elected to “Top 25” Super Lawyers in New Mexico in 2015
2014 40 Under 40 Awardee by Albuquerque Business First
AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Molly Schmidt-Nowara

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