Christina West has over two decades of legal experience in private practice. As a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and in honor of all that her ancestors endured and fought for, Christina values providing quality services to tribes, tribal members, tribal entities and other clients in a wide range of matters. This experience includes tribal governance, complex litigation, employment issues, aboriginal title claims, commercial litigation, contract negotiations, and development projects. Before joining the firm, Christina was on the board of directors and a shareholder at a large firm in Albuquerque.
Throughout her career, Christina has litigated for her clients at trial and appellate levels in tribal, state and federal courts, arbitrations and administrative hearings. Recently, Christina was honored to successfully argue on behalf of a Pueblo before the 10th Circuit, winning an aboriginal land claim against the United States. Christina regularly handles complex litigation matters, leading litigation teams, managing extensive e-discovery and support software and working with expert witnesses. She successfully defended an individual landowner in an oil and gas litigation in state court, securing millions in assets. Her transactional experience includes construction projects, employment matters and commercial transactions. She has assisted a tribal enterprise in obtaining land, negotiating and financing construction contracts, and building a beautiful new facility.
Christina has long been dedicated to community involvement. Christina has served as Chair of the Indian Law Section of the New Mexico Bar Association and Board President, Vice-President and Secretary for the Domestic Violence Resource Center. She has served on many other boards, including the New Mexico Women’s Bar Association and Opera Southwest. She is also an Associate Member of the Tribal In-House Counsel Association.
Christina holds a BA, cum laude, from the University of Tulsa. She holds a JD from the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of law, with a certificate in Federal Indian Law and distinctions for pro bono services. She is currently licensed in the Navajo Nation; New Mexico State Court; the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Christina is honored to have her work recognized by several prestigious awards. She is an AV rated lawyer and is also ranked in Chambers and Partners in Native American Law. She has also been recognized as Top 250 Female Litigators in America from Benchmark Litigation and was awarded the New Mexico State Bar Indian Law Section 2019 Attorney Achievement Award.
While striving for a balanced life, Christina enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She also likes riding her horses, playing acoustic guitar, hiking and travelling.