Carolyn “Cammie” M. Nichols

Carolyn “Cammie” M. Nichols is a partner at Rothstein Donatelli LLP in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she focuses on civil rights litigation. Her practice grew from criminal defense work involving clients who alleged police abuse during arrests. Cammie now represents individuals and families in cases involving law enforcement misconduct, serious injury, abuse of power, and constitutional rights violations. Her criminal defense background continues to inform her understanding of investigations, police practices, and the justice system.

Cammie earned her B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of New Mexico in 1990 and her J.D. from Yale Law School in 1993. After law school, she returned to New Mexico and developed a litigation practice centered on representing individuals. Her education and early criminal defense experience provided a strong foundation in evidence, trial advocacy, constitutional law, and client representation, skills that support her work in complex civil rights cases involving government actors and vulnerable individuals.

Cammie has represented families of people killed or seriously injured by law enforcement and children who experienced abuse by adults in positions of authority. Earlier in her career, she pursued civil rights claims after successfully defending clients against criminal charges connected to arrests. Her representative matters include Monarque v. City of Rio Rancho and Buck v. City of Albuquerque. She handles civil rights cases through investigation, discovery, motions, settlement negotiations, trial, and, when necessary, appellate proceedings.

Carolyn “Cammie” M. Nichols has received professional recognition for her civil rights and trial work, including a Regional Warrior of the Year honor from the Trial Lawyers College and recognition from the ACLU of New Mexico for her work on Buck v. City of Albuquerque. She has also been recognized by Southwest Super Lawyers and has served as an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law since 2008, teaching Evidence and Trial Practice.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Rothstein Donatelli LLP
• Member, American Association for Justice
• Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Member, National Lawyers Guild
• Member, National Police Accountability Project
• Member, New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Member, New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association

Licensed State

• New Mexico

Education

• Yale Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of New Mexico
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges