Meet Bert Atkins

       Bert is a graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree. He was admitted to practice law in New Mexico in 1981. Having worked in both sides of the courtroom, first as an Assistant District Attorney and then as the District Public Defender, he was elected to serve two terms as the District Attorney of the Twelfth Judicial District (Lincoln and Otero Counties). While holding that office, he rose to be the president of the New Mexico District Attorney's Association. In 1996, he formed S. Bert Atkins, Attorney at Law and began his private practice. In 2009, he was joining by his daughter, Erinna M. Atkins, and he continues to practice today.

       Bert is a past president of the Otero County Bar Association, and has won numerous awards and recognitions from that organization, including the "Don Quixote Award" and the "Lifetime Achievement Award". He serves the Courts as a guardian ad litem for abused and neglected children, and he focuses his practice in the area of criminal defense, estate planning and business law.

      Bert is a lifelong resident of Alamogordo, New Mexico and graduated from Alamogordo High School.  He is a member of the Board of Directors of First National Bank. He is also a member of several fraternal and service organizations including the Masonic lodge, the Elks Lodge, and Rotary Club. He has served on several Governor's task forces and Supreme Court committees. He is a member of the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and a past director of the Children's Law Section.