Meet The Team
Jessica lopez-hess, senior litigator
Jessica M. López-Hess is licensed in the United States District Court District of New Mexico, State of New Mexico Courts and various Native American Communities in New Mexico where her main areas of practice include domestic relations law, children’s law and criminal defense law. Said areas of law include Divorce, Child Support, Paternity, Post Decree proceedings, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, Kinship Guardianships, Child Custody and Visitation including the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act, Uniform Interstate Child Support Act, New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, Guardian ad Litem, Pre-Nuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements, Legal Separations, Wills, Guardianships, Conservatorships, Adoptions, Family Centered Meetings per the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, Domestic Violence pursuant to the Family Violence Protection Act and New Mexico Criminal Law, to include Driving While Intoxicated and Driving Under the Influence, as well as other related matters.
Ms. López-Hess was born and raised in Northern New Mexico. Ms. López-Hess is a University of New Mexico alumni. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology and Business Administration in 1996. Afterward, Ms. López-Hess earned her Master of Business of Administration with a concentration in finance and accounting in 1999. Thereafter, in 1999, Ms. López-Hess commenced her legal journey at the University of New Mexico School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor Degree in 2002 and served as an active member of the Mexican American Law School Association (MALSA).
Ms. López-Hess was the recipient of the Super Lawyers Rising Star Award for the Top-Rated Family Law Attorney in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2012. Ms. López-Hess was also a three time recipient of the prestigious Nationally Ranked Top 10 Attorney Award by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys (NAFLA) in 2014 and 2020. In 2015, Ms. López-Hess was recognized nationally as one of the 10 Best Client Satisfaction Attorneys by the American Institute of Family Attorneys. Ms. López-Hess was also presented with America’s Top 100 Attorneys Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. Ms. López-Hess has been court appointed to serve as a Settlement Facilitator, Arbitrator, and Guardian ad Litem throughout the State of New Mexico by several Judges and her colleagues. She has served as a volunteer as a mentor for the Children’s Court Adult/Youth Mentor Program. Ms. López-Hess’ practice includes travel and participation in all counties throughout the State of New Mexico. She is a recent activist for the Missing Murdered and Indigenous Women (MMIW). Ms. López-Hess’ proudest achievements are her two beautiful children and marriage to her husband of more than two decades.
Fatima ceballos - paralegal
Fatima Ceballos is fluent in Spanish and English with Spanish being her first language. She was raised in Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico until her family migrated to the United States in 1995 and settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1997.
Before joining the Law Offices of Darlene Gomez, LLC, Fatima worked in the legal community since approximately 2006. Fatima has developed a focus on Family Law to include Divorce, Child Support, Paternity, Post Decree proceedings, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, Kinship Guardianships, Child Custody and Visitation including the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act, Uniform Interstate Child Support Act, New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, Guardian ad Litem, Pre-Nuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements, Legal Separations, Probate, Wills, Guardianships, Conservatorships, Adoptions, Family Centered Meetings per the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, Domestic Violence pursuant to the Family Violence Protection Act and New Mexico Criminal Law, to include Driving While Intoxicated and Driving Under the Influence, and is very knowledgeable in Administrative Law and the Rules of Federal and State Civil Procedure as well as the various other State and local rules utilized in New Mexico. Fatima has been invited to be a guest speaker at many Continuing Legal Education (CLE) symposiums given her vast expertise and knowledge as an experienced litigation paralegal. Fatima has served as a mentor for other legal assistants and paralegals throughout the State of New Mexico and Mexico.
As a paralegal Fatima is motivated by the fast-paced nature of our work, coupled with the diversity of cases and deciphering the extensive array of emotional circumstances clients undergo in our areas of law. Fatima finds her work as a paralegal to be quite humbling and rewarding. Working in family law provides Fatima a great deal of satisfaction to assist with the mending of and rebuilding of families during their most difficult times. Fatima prides herself upon her explementary organizational skills, attention to detail, and as an accomplished fact-finder.
Fatima is a mother of three active children, former President of her local Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and current By-laws Chair of the New Mexico Parent Teacher Association. Fatima has assisted several accomplished attorneys in many court trials, settlement facilitations and case-by-case meetings. She has developed a positive rapport with the courts, judges, and TCAA’s throughout her career. Fatima has been instrumental in the progress of not only the firms she has work to with but also within the educational realm. She enjoys reading in her rare spare time. Fatima’s children are enrolled members of the Pueblo of Isleta and continue to embrace the multi-cultural background and traditional customs in which they are included. Fatima is a recent activist for the Missing Murdered and Indigenous Women (MMIW). As a mother of a Native American daughter, this movement is especially important to her family.
annette archuleta - billing specialist
Annette Archuleta joined the Law Offices of Darlene Gomez in 2020 and brings with her over 30 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. Annette enjoys the challenges and rewards of working in a law office that is constantly changing in technology and innovations.
Annette’s background has led her to have a very knowledgeable background in finance, purchasing, and technology. Annette has the ability to offer a concise explanation of billing to a wide range of clients and is meticulous with her records.
Annette enjoys spending time with her daughters and her granddaughter.
Annette can be found helping elders in her community in helping them access services they may need.
Teyonna Cheromiah-Fragua
Office Manager/Legal Assistant
Teyonna is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and Jemez. Teyonna has a BA from the University of New Mexico. Teyonna has a strong background in finance in the private and tribal government arenas. Teyonna enjoys the fast-paced office and is extremely excited to be working with our tribal partners. Teyonna enjoys being a wife and mother to her 6 beautiful children.