PHOENIX (June 5, 2025) — 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 2025 edition of Chambers USA, the world’s leading independent professional legal research company. Karen Gaylord, who leads the 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.
Karen, who has been recognized by Chambers USA since 2007, focuses on environmental and natural resources matters. She counsels members of municipalities, water providers, businesses, and individuals. She has extensive experience in representing responsible parties in state and federal Superfund sites throughout Arizona. Karen is also experienced in negotiating and obtaining permits required for remediation of soils and groundwater, assisting with development of Brownfield properties, advising clients with cleanup of soils and groundwater and on the purchase or condemnation of potentially contaminated property, and handling wastewater treatment and reuse matters.
Sean Olivas’ 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.
Since 1990, Chambers USA has published the leading directories of the legal profession. Chambers USA gathers input from clients, who provide input on lawyers in each state and 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. JHKM has offices in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; and Albuquerque, New Mexico to serve clients in the Southwest and throughout the United States.
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