Carey Bhalla

Carey Bhalla is an attorney at Rothstein Donatelli LLP whose practice focuses on criminal law, civil rights, and civil litigation. She began her New Mexico legal career at the Public Defender’s Office, representing hundreds of clients in felony matters. Bhalla later opened her own firm and expanded her work into civil rights litigation while continuing to handle complex criminal cases. Her practice centers on protecting constitutional rights and challenging government misconduct through careful investigation and litigation.

Bhalla earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Mississippi in 2006 and her Bachelor of Arts from Rhoades College in 2003. Her legal education supports a practice involving constitutional issues, criminal procedure, evidence, and civil rights claims. Combined with years of courtroom and investigative experience, this background helps her evaluate complex factual records, identify legal issues, and develop litigation strategies for clients facing serious criminal charges or claims involving government action.

Bhalla is admitted to the complex federal criminal panel in New Mexico and has worked on several death-eligible cases. Her criminal defense experience includes matters involving multiple defendants, RICO, VICAR, Hobbs Act robberies, organized drug trafficking, homicides, trafficking offenses, sexual offenses, and other serious felonies. In civil rights cases, she investigates claims involving police agencies, school systems, and government entities, focusing on uncovering facts and holding public institutions accountable for alleged constitutional violations.

Carey Bhalla is admitted to practice before the New Mexico Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. She is also affiliated with the New Mexico State Bar Association, New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association. Her work combines criminal defense experience, civil rights advocacy, and investigative litigation to represent clients in high-stakes matters involving personal liberty and constitutional protections.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Rothstein Donatelli LLP
• Member, New Mexico State Bar Association
• Member, New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Member, New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association

Licensed State

• New Mexico

Education

• University of Mississippi
  Juris Doctor (JD) Cum Laude
• Rhoades College
  Bachelor of Arts

Awards & Badges