Chambers USA Ranks Jennings Haug Keleher McLeod Waterfall Lawyers as Top Environmental Law and Employment Law Attorneys for 2026
PHOENIX (June 4, 2026) — Jennings Haug Keleher McLeod Waterfall (JKW) is pleased to announce that attorneys with the firm’s environmental law and employment law practices have been recognized for excellence in the law in the 2026 edition of Chambers USA, the world’s leading independent professional legal research company. Karen Gaylord, who leads the firm’s environmental practice in JKW’s Phoenix office, and Sean Olivas with the firm’s employment law practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico were ranked as top in their areas of practice based upon client feedback. Additionally, the firm’s environmental law practice in Arizona earned top ranking in the newest edition of the elite law firm list.
Since 2007, Karen has earned recognition by Chambers USA. Her practice focuses on environmental and natural resources matters. Karen advises members of municipalities, water providers, businesses, and individuals. She has extensive experience representing responsible parties in state and federal Superfund sites throughout Arizona. Karen is also experienced in negotiating and obtaining permits required for soil and groundwater remediation; assisting with the development of Brownfield properties; advising clients on the cleanup of soils and groundwater and on the purchase or condemnation of potentially contaminated property; and handling wastewater treatment and reuse matters.
Sean’s practice focuses on the defense of tort, employment and civil rights claims for clients in New Mexico. The majority of his practice involves defending employers in the gamut of employment law and litigation matters, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, NMHRA and other civil rights matters. Olivas previously served as the Chair of The New Mexico State Bar’s Employment Specialization Committee for 10 years. Olivas is also a past Chair of the City of Albuquerque’s Personnel Board and has served on the Bernalillo County Labor Relations Board for years.
Chambers USA publishes the leading and most respected directory of the legal profession by gathering input from clients on lawyers in each state and in a variety of practice areas. Recognized around the world as the most accurate and reliable directory for legal services, Chambers maintains highly independent standards for its annual directories.
About Jennings Haug Keleher McLeod Waterfall LLP
JKW is a regional full-service litigation and business law firm with extensive trial, litigation management, dispute resolution and complex litigation experience. The firm’s attorneys address a wide range of legal matters for businesses and individuals in the areas of business law and litigation, banking, bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, civil rights, constitutional law, real estate, construction, corporate law, employment, environmental, estate planning, trusts and wills, estate and trust litigation, probate administration, family law, fidelity and surety, government relations, insurance defense and coverage, medical and professional malpractice, municipal law, personal injury and energy regulatory matters. JKW has offices in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; and Albuquerque, New Mexico to serve clients in the Southwest and throughout the United States.