Rooted in New Mexico: What It Means for Parnall Law to Be Local

When you’re hurt, overwhelmed, and unsure where to turn, you don’t want a lawyer from out of state. You don’t want someone who just opened a satellite office here last month, or whose name is on a billboard but never stepped foot in a New Mexico courtroom.

You want someone who lives here—someone who understands New Mexico.

Out-of-state firms are flooding our state’s ad space, flying in lawyers who don’t live here, and making promises without understanding the people they are speaking to. Justice isn’t one-size-fits-all.

It’s shaped by community, culture, and values—things you can’t Google or guess.

New Mexico is different. The way we live, the way we connect, the way we take care of one another—it’s personal. It’s rooted. At Parnall Law, we’re not just local by location. We’re local in our values, our mindset, and our mission. We’ve walked these roads, stood in your shoes, and built this firm to serve you—our neighbors, our families, our community.

Justice Starts at Home

Bert Parnall didn’t come to New Mexico—he is from New Mexico.

He was raised right here in Albuquerque. He graduated from Albuquerque High as salutatorian and football co-captain, then left to study at Rice University and La Sorbonne in Paris. But no matter how far he went, New Mexico always pulled him back.

After earning his law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law, Bert began his career in the courtroom—not in a big corporate office, but on the front lines as a Senior Trial Prosecutor in Valencia and Sandoval Counties. He tried cases against murderers and rapists, standing with victims and families who needed someone fearless on their side.

But even that didn’t feel like enough. He wanted to help people before they were victims of the system, and after they’d been wronged by someone else’s negligence. So in 2009, he opened the doors to Parnall Law—starting small, building smart, and growing through trust, word of mouth, and a relentless work ethic.

Today, that one-person practice has grown into a powerful team of 100+ employees and 16 attorneys. We’ve recovered over $400 million for people across the state.

A Family Rooted in New Mexico

Bert didn’t just build his career here—he built a life.

In 2001, he met Marta Strzyzewski—Miss New Mexico 2001—and proposed just two weeks later. Fortunately, she said yes. Together, they built a home and raised four children right here in Albuquerque, where the values of grit, service, and family run deep in everything they do.

Bert Parnall’s dedication to justice and community service is deeply influenced by his family’s longstanding ties to New Mexico. His father, Theodore “Ted” Parnall, is a distinguished figure in the state’s legal education. A graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1967, Ted served as a professor and later as Dean from 1986 to 1991. During his tenure, he implemented significant initiatives, including the establishment of the New Mexico Court of Appeals building on the UNM campus and the introduction of the Guanajuato, Mexico, summer program. In recognition of his contributions, UNM dedicated a classroom in his honor in 2024.​

Bert’s uncle, Judge William Parnall, further exemplifies the family’s deep commitment to public service. A New Mexico native, he served as a Division I Judge in the New Mexico 2nd Judicial District Court and, since 2022, has been the voice of Zozobra—a beloved cultural tradition that brings New Mexicans together every year. 

Our Community Is Our Client

Being local means being involved. We don’t just help clients. We help the entire community.

We support organizations that lift up New Mexicans every day:

UNM Law School & Scholarships – Supporting future leaders in the legal field.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) – Bert is a board member, helping victims of DUI crashes.

Make-A-Wish New Mexico – Helping children with life-threatening illnesses experience something extraordinary.

Animal Humane New Mexico – Partnering to care for and rehome pets.

Meals on Wheels & Roadrunner Food Bank – Fighting food insecurity in every zip code.

Big Brothers Big Sisters, BioPark Society, and Popejoy Hall – Building mentorship, culture, and joy.

Bert is also a past president of the Rotary Club of Albuquerque, where service meets real action. At Parnall Law, we’ve sponsored trips for children in need, donated to causes after local disasters, and volunteered at shelters and clean-up events.

We don’t just give because it’s good for business. We give because this is our business: standing up, stepping in, and lifting others up.

Growing Across New Mexico—Without Losing Our Roots

We’ve expanded our offices to Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, and Roswell—with more on the horizon. But our commitment hasn’t changed.

We still hire local attorneys who want to live here.
We still treat every client like a neighbor.
And we still believe in winning the right way—for the right reasons.

Out-of-state firms may “do business” here, but We live here. We win here.™ And that makes all the difference.

If you’ve been injured and everything feels uncertain, start with a team that is certain of one thing: we fight for New Mexicans.

Call Parnall Law today. Your consultation is free.