Executive Office
The Attorney General’s Executive Office sets overall priorities and initiatives
for the agency.
The Executive Office is comprised of:
Chief Deputy Albert Lama is responsible for meeting with each Division
Director on a regular basis to oversee cases and specific matters pertaining to
each of the agency’s divisions. Each division has specific expertise
and most exercise certain authority in a particular area of state law. By being
in constant communication with Attorney General King and the special counsels, the
Chief Deputy ensures that the directives, initiatives and priorities of the Attorney
General are executed. Because the AGO brings millions of dollars each year
to the state General Fund through the resolution of litigation, another of the critical
roles of the Chief Deputy is to monitor these cases.
Deputy Attorney General David Thomson advises
the Attorney General and the Chief Deputy on matters concerning civil litigation.
Mr. Thomson serves as the general partner for all issues that arise out of the various
civil law divisions of this office. In addition, Mr. Thomson maintains a litigation
caseload and appears in state and federal court in matters important to the State
of New Mexico. Another of Mr. Thomson's duties is to serve as the New Mexico Attorney
General's Tobacco Contact. As the Tobacco Contact, Mr. Thomson oversees the ongoing
litigation with domestic and foreign tobacco manufacturers and distributors, and
implements compliance policies designed to ensure the manufacturers and distributors
obey New Mexico laws and regulations governing the manufacturing, sale and distribution
of tobacco including public health issues. Mr. Thomson also oversees multi state
litigation, contract litigation, and claims filed under the Fraud Against Taxpayers Act.
The Attorney General relies on Chief of Staff Michelle Garcia
to manage
the balancing act that is the work of the AGO. She and the Attorney General
work closely to establish overall AGO priorities and to construct a plan of action
to bring them to fruition. With a multitude of competing interests and a scarcity
of resources, the Chief of Staff is faced with making decisions as to where the
precious resources of the AGO are to be allocated.
Senior Counsel Stuart Bluestone is the main point of contact on
legislative initiatives for the Attorney General. Because ethics reform has
taken a prominent role in the Attorney General’s agenda, much of his work
has been focused on the topic. In addition, serving at the AG’s chief
policy advisor on multi-state actions is one of his primary responsibilities.
Special Counsel Steve Suttle has been entrusted with coordinating
the AGO’s criminal justice operations. At the direction of the Attorney
General, Mr. Suttle also focuses on criminal legislative matters and other special
projects.
Communications Director Phil Sisneros works daily with each
division, constituents and media to coordinate the collection of accurate information
about the activities of the AGO and to disseminate that information to the public
in the most efficient and expeditious manner possible. Providing the maximum
amount of information about issues and legal cases being handled by the agency is
one of Mr. Sisneros’ main objectives. Also within the purview of the
Communications Division is helping to arrange for AG King to visit communities statewide
as part of the AGO’s Education and Outreach efforts.
As Constituent Services Coordinator, Cordy Medina
serves as
a special resource to New Mexicans bringing important questions or concerns to Attorney
General King. Ms. Medina strives to address those questions and concerns each
day by directing them to the appropriate persons both within the AGO and in other
state, federal and local government agencies. By coordinating and communicating
with these agencies on the behalf of AG King’s constituents, Ms. Medina ensures
that their concerns do not get lost in the shuffle.
Aside from the specific matters and agency management described above, the Executive
Office also focuses on major substantive legal problems, such as those concerning
the quantity and quality of water in New Mexico. With current drought conditions,
ensuring the preservation of water resources and meeting requirements set out in
compacts, statutes and federal law will be a difficult balancing act for many years
to come. Protecting New Mexico’s water and agricultural tradition while
at the same time meeting the needs of its citizens and conforming to the Endangered
Species Act will be one of the defining priorities of Attorney General King’s
term of office.