Crestencia I. Pihlaja

Crestencia I. Pihlaja is an attorney with O’Brien, Padilla, Santos and Anderson, P.C. in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her civil litigation practice focuses on personal injury claims, wrongful death cases, and business defense. She joined the firm after completing law school in 2025 and is admitted to practice in New Mexico. Her work involves legal disputes in which parties contest responsibility for an injury, a loss, or a business-related claim. She approaches these matters with training in research and advocacy.

Crestencia earned a B.B.A. from the University of New Mexico in 2019 and an M.A. from Arizona State University in 2022. She then received her J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2025. During law school, she participated in the Hispanic National Bar Association Moot Court team and the Economic Justice Clinic. These experiences developed skills in researching legal issues, preparing written arguments, and considering the practical effect of civil legal problems.

Crestencia handles civil litigation matters involving personal injuries, wrongful death allegations, and the defense of business clients. Her practice requires reviewing evidence, assessing applicable legal claims, and preparing cases for the available dispute resolution process. Participation in moot court gave her experience presenting arguments, while her clinic work exposed her to the needs of people navigating legal issues. Her training supports the analysis of disputes where multiple parties may disagree about responsibility or damages.

Crestencia I. Pihlaja is a member of the New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association and the New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association. She entered private practice after completing her legal education and began focusing on civil disputes affecting individuals and businesses. Her combination of business and legal studies informs her approach to claims that involve financial and legal consequences. She works to prepare clear arguments and help clients respond to contested matters through the appropriate court procedures.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, O’Brien, Padilla, Santos and Anderson, P.C.
• Member, State Bar of New Mexico
• Member, New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
• Member, New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association

Licensed State

• New Mexico

Education

• University of New Mexico School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Arizona State University
  Master of Arts (MA)
• University of New Mexico
  Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

Awards & Badges