An advocate for the health, safety, and dignity of all, Lisa has dedicated her career to helping the poor, people with disabilities, and the incarcerated. She began as a staff attorney with Disability Rights New Mexico in 1998. Over the past twenty-three years, she has worked as an attorney, an executive director of a non-profit organization to older New Mexicans, as the first ever development director for the largest legal services agency in New Mexico, as well as deputy general counsel at the Second Judicial District Court where she also served as the Title II ADA coordinator.

Throughout her career, Lisa has worked on a broad array of issues affecting children and adults with mental disabilities, including litigation regarding behavioral health managed care, youth aging out of the foster care system, the constitutional rights of institutionalized persons, and the criminalization of individuals with mental illness. She served as co-counsel in McClendon v. City of Albuquerque et al., Foley v. Department of Health, et al., and Bravo v. Dona Ana County et al.

A 2001 recipient of a National Association for Public Interest Law (NAPIL) Equal Justice Fellowship, Lisa worked with the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law in Washington, D.C. addressing the criminalization of persons with mental illness. She was also recognized by the Albuquerque Human Rights Board for her outstanding advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities.

A former Adjunct Professor at New York Law School, she taught Survey of Mental Disability Law and Mental Health Issues in Jails and Prison. She is also a graduate of New York Law School.

In her role as an attorney with the Law Office of Matthew Vance, P.C., she represents individuals in jails and prisons who have endured deprivations in their constitutional rights to medical and mental health care, due process, and access to the courts.

Education

  • New York Law School - J.D. - 1997
  • Parsons School of Design - The New School - BBA - 1992

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Client Reviews

I would recommend his services. They have a very informative staff as well. He helped me gather the most out of my car accident settlement and I'm most thankful that I went with Matt instead of a big name law firm you see on tv. When I was injured he was able to come to my house and do my first...

Audrey I.

Great and honest, helped me a lot to win my case.

Amir S.

Mr. Vance was attentive, diligent and even keeled throughout the process of fighting for my case. He exhibits a quiet and calm confidence in what to do and how to prepare. He always gave me the facts and did not BS me with exaggerated promises. He always treated me and my family as people, not a...

Chris

Matt and his team are amazing. They contacted me when I needed to come into the office to sign forms, and they only bothered me when they had a question on something. They took care of everything from beginning to end. I am so appreciative of them. And would refer them to my closest friends.

C. J.

Matt and his team are absolutely amazing and helped me more than enough with my case. He is very knowledgeable and friendly. He made a very difficult situation, seamless. Thank you so much!

Chris G.

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