Charles Vigil

Our History: 

Nearly three decades before New Mexico achieved statehood, Bernard Shandon Rodey stepped off a train from Boston onto the hot and dusty streets of his destination: Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Rodey established his law practice in 1883. Little did he know he was on his way to creating what would become one of New Mexico's oldest, largest and most highly respected firms. The law practice Mr. Rodey began in 1883 has grown into a firm of more than 70 lawyers and over 70 support professionals, with offices in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The journey from that first day to the 21st century is filled with stories of leadership, technical excellence, and effective client advocacy. 

Rodey Today: 

Being a good lawyer means different things to different people. Some would say it is being well educated, experienced, and tough in the courtroom. Others would describe a creative, client-oriented problem solver. At the Rodey Law Firm, we believe a good lawyer is all these things and more. 

Good lawyers help their clients make wise choices. They cut through the complexities of a problem to find its core. They study that problem from different angles, turn it on its head, and ask "what if?" Then they focus their intellectual, legal and strategic skills on finding a solution efficiently and economically. Ultimately, good lawyers make a difference in the lives of their clients. 

This approach is a long-established practice at the Rodey Law Firm. We think it is the essence of what makes us good at what we do.

 

Professional Recognition:

http://www.rodey.com/pg_about_recognition.html 

Our excellence, expertise and experience are recognized by the organizations of which we are members. 

Drawing its members from the best law firms throughout the world, Lex Mundi, an international consortium of independent law firms, invited Rodey to join in 1989. As a charter member and the only New Mexico member, we have enjoyed an uninterrupted association with this highly esteemed organization. 

The Harmonie Group is a North American network of independent law firms offering expertise in serving insurance companies, risk retention groups, self insureds and insureds. The Rodey Law Firm, New Mexico's member, has been a part of the Harmonie Group since 1995. 

The outstanding quality of Rodey attorneys is recognized by professional organizations including the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, the American College of Mortgage Attorneys, the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American College of Real Estate Attorneys, the American Board of Trial Advocates and the American Health Lawyers Association. 

Commercial Litigation 

“Respected by peers, clients and judges, the team has skills to match the national firms, but with good local contacts and knowledge.”      ~Chambers and Partners USA 

National law firms, corporate general counsel, and local businesses look first to Rodey’s Complex and Commercial Litigation team when they need the most experienced counsel for the most difficult cases. We routinely manage large commercial and business-related cases, from inception to appeal, in state and federal courts across New Mexico. Our litigation and case management experience, along with our depth of resources, allows us to assemble skilled teams to address all of our clients’ changing needs. 

New Mexico’s legal landscape is familiar territory to our complex and commercial litigation attorneys. Clients tell us that our broad knowledge of New Mexico law, judges, court procedures, and opposing counsel is invaluable to their ability to litigate in New Mexico. 

We are nationally recognized as the preeminent New Mexico class action defense firm. We regularly defend clients in putative class actions involving antitrust, consumer fraud, defective drugs and medical devices, employment discrimination law, modal premium insurance, casualty insurance, automobile defects, unfair pricing practices, and Constitutional law. 

When an appeal is called for, Rodey is ready with the best appellate team in New Mexico. Rodey lawyers have represented litigants in many leading cases decided by the New Mexico appellate courts as well as in the Tenth Circuit United States Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Our appellate practice group frequently joins our trial litigation teams to provide expertise in preparing for and handling proceedings at the appellate level. 

Our attorneys handle all types of complex and commercial litigation including:

Antitrust

Banking

Bankruptcy

Bet-the-company

Class actions

Construction law

Consumer/high technology

Contract and UCC law

Creditors Rights

Corporation and partnership disputes

Cultural resources law 

Environmental law

First Amendment law

Insurance law

Lender liability defense

Mass tort  

Surety law

Title and other real estate disputes

Trust and estate litigation 

When you need the strength of a powerful New Mexico firm, Rodey's Complex and Commercial Litigation team assures you of maximum legal muscle.

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Education

University of Michigan Law School (J.D., 1989)

University of New Mexico (B.B.A., 1986)

Professional Experience

Mr. Vigil served as the President and Managing Director of the firm from 2006 until October 2019. He is a past President of the State Bar of New Mexico, and currently serves on the American Bar Association Board of Governors.  Mr. Vigil practices in the Litigation Department in the areas of labor and employment law, commercial litigation, insurance coverage/bad faith, medical malpractice and lawyer professional liability.  He has jury and non-jury trial experience in both the state and federal courts, including the trials of breach of contract, Family and Medical Leave Act, disability, retaliation, Title VII, Unfair Practices Act and legal malpractice cases. Mr. Vigil has presented oral argument in the New Mexico Supreme Court and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Vigil advises and consults with insurers on issues in New Mexico relating to insurance coverage, including commercial and personal lines policies.  Mr. Vigil has experience teaching seminars in employment law and wrongful termination. Mr. Vigil also advises and consults with personnel managers regarding issues of discipline, discharge, compliance with state and federal employment laws, including occupational health and safety laws, and the preparation and revision of personnel handbooks.  Mr. Vigil is an adjunct professor of law at the University of New Mexico Law School teaching Legal Ethics.  Additionally, Mr. Vigil regularly represents clients before the New Mexico Disciplinary Board.

In August of 2018, Mr. Vigil received the Justice Pamela B. Minzner Professionalism Award from the State Bar of New Mexico.  The award, named for the late Pamela B. Minzner, New Mexico Supreme Court Justice, is the highest award given by the State Bar.  Mr. Vigil received the award in recognition of his outstanding professional conduct over many years of practice and for his involvement in the Albuquerque and national legal community.

In March of 2013, the University of Michigan Law School presented Mr. Vigil with the J.T. Canales Distinguished Alumni Award.  The J.T. Canales Award honors an University of Michigan Law School alum who has made a significant contribution to empowering the Latino community and who serves as a role model for the next generation of Latino lawyers and leaders. 

In June of 2010, Mr. Vigil received the Isaac Hecht Law Client Protection Award from The National Client Protection Organization for excellence in the field of law client protection.

In July of 2007, Mr. Vigil received the Distinguished Bar Service Award from the State Bar of New Mexico.  The award was presented to Mr. Vigil in recognition of his long and valuable service to the State Bar over a significant period of time and for his long-term commitment to State Bar services and his significant contributions to the legal profession. 

Mr. Vigil is a co-author of the New Mexico Employment Law Desk Reference – Second Edition, Rodey Law Firm © 2013.

Professional Memberships and Activities

Past President, Board of Bar Commissioners, State Bar of New Mexico (2005)

Member, New Mexico Board of Bar Commissioners (1999-2006)

Co-Chair, New Mexico Commission on Professionalism (2005)

Chair, New Mexico Client Protection Fund Commission (2006, 2010)

Member, New Mexico Client Protection Fund Commission (2006-2015)

Member, New Mexico Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity

Member, New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association

Board of Directors, New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association (2011-2013)

Member, Executive Council, National Conference of Bar Presidents (2005-2008) and Chair of Diversity Committee (2007-2008)

American Bar Association (Labor Law Section)

American Bar Association, Board of Governors (2019 – 2022)

American Bar Association - Standing Committee on Lawyers’ Professional Liability  (2005-2008 and 2011-2014)

American Bar Association – Standing Committee on Client Protection (2008-2011)

State Bar of New Mexico Delegate to American Bar Association House of Delegates (2006-2013)

Albuquerque Bar Association

New Mexico State Delegate to the American Bar Association (2013-present)

1. Vearle Payne American Inn of Court (1999-2002)

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America for his experience and expertise in bet-the-company litigation, commercial litigation, product liability litigation-defendants and professional malpractice law-defendants

Named Albuquerque Professional Malpractice Law-Defendants Lawyer of the Year-2018 by Best Lawyers in America

Named Albuquerque Professional Malpractice Law-Defendants Lawyer of the Year-2015 by Best Lawyers in America

Listed in Chambers & Partners-America’s Leading Lawyers for Business for his experience and expertise in labor and employment law 

Listed in Southwest Super Lawyers for his expertise and experience in employment and labor law

The 2018 and 2019 editions of Southwest Super Lawyers named Mr. Vigil to the list of the Top 25 Lawyers in New Mexico.

New Mexico Business Weekly’s Best of the Bar - 2009

Has achieved highest Martindale-Hubbell rating

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