Samantha Catalano
Overview
Samantha Catalano provides broad legal guidance and assistance to businesses and associations navigating a wide variety of environmental and energy matters and associated civil litigation, specifically focusing on the regulatory aspects of environmental and natural resource management and oil and gas law to avoid unnecessary legal exposure.
As she helps clients comply with evolving laws and regulations in alignment with specific objectives, Samantha regularly appears before state and federal regulatory bodies, including the Oil Conservation Division, the Oil Conservation Commission, and the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board, to present applications and permits and to pursue litigation when necessary.
Prior to pursuing a law degree, Samantha performed laboratory research, managed surgical practices, and worked as a veterinary technician, gaining a unique perspective rooted in science and analytics she now employs to develop robust, logical solutions for her legal clients. She is also notably fluent in Spanish.
Credentials
Education
- University of New Mexico School of Law, 2022 (J.D.), summa cum laude, Order of the Coif
- New Mexico State University, 2016 (B.S.), with honors
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, 2025
- U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, 2022
- Prevailed in a rulemaking hearing before the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board opposing substantial air quality permit and annual fee increases proposed by the New Mexico Environment Department.
- New Mexico Legal Aid, Albuquerque Law-La-Palooza Legal Fair, Volunteer, 2025
- New Mexico Innocence and Justice Project, Student Volunteer, 2022
- Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, Former President and Treasurer
- Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Environmental Law; Natural Resources Law, 2026
- State Bar of New Mexico
- Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law (NREEL), Board of Directors, Young Lawyers Division (YLD) Liaison
- Animal Law Section, Board of Directors, YLD Liaison
- Committee on Women and the Legal Profession
- New Mexico Women’s Bar Association, Board of Directors
- New Mexico Oil and Gas Association
- Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law
- “Navigating Administrative Rulemaking: Lessons from New Mexico,” Air Quality Conference, September 2025
- “Monitoring Wells Not Required at Point of Compliance,” published in Volume 44, No. 5, Maricopa Lawyer, May 2025
- “Women Lawyers on Careers, Challenges, and Confidence,” State Bar of New Mexico’s Committee on Women and the Legal Profession, University of New Mexico School of Law, April 2025
- “Trends and Developments 2024: New Mexico’s Oil and Gas Production,” Chambers USA Guide: Oil, Gas, and the Transition to Renewables, October 2024
- “Unnecessary Burdens to Post-Conviction DNA Testing: New Mexico’s Post-Conviction DNA Relief Statute and Suggestions for Improvement,” Trento Student Law Review, Volume 3, Italy, April 2021