Russell K. Whitener |
Thomas M. Allison |
Matthew J. O'Neill |
Charles W. Bennett |
James Ellis |
|---|
Russell K. Whitener
Under the direction of Russell K. Whitener, Whitener Law Firm, P.A. has become one of Albuquerque's premier personal injury law firms.
Whitener Law Firm purchased downtown offices in the historic Third
Central Plaza building on the corner of Third Street and Central
Avenue in 1999. In November 2008 the construction of the Whitener
Building was completed and Whitener Law Firm moved to its new
location.
Russell believes strongly in putting the client first. Whitener Law Firm strives to provide exceptional personal service to its clients. Each incoming call is answered by a live receptionist. 'Every person who calls, client or not, should be able to voice their concerns and problems to a person, not a machine' says Russell. In addition, it is the philosophy of Russell Whitener that the firm never receive more in attorney's fees than the client 'gets in his pocket.'
It is the firm's commitment to clients that has led Whitener Law Firm to benefit from many client referrals and a high number of returning clients. It is the positive perception of Whitener Law Firm in the community that has allowed the business to flourish over the past several years. Russell and the firm's employees have developed excellent relationships with medical providers as well as with those in the insurance industry. Russell says, 'It is our goal to develop a winning situation for our client while maintaining a positive working relationship with medical providers and insurance adjusters.'
Russell is committed to giving back to the community. Former clients seek advice long after their cases have been closed and they're never turned away. Whitener Law Firm has helped thousands of clients over the years by collecting tens of millions of dollars for their injuries, helping them recover and establish their lives once again.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Russell was a contractor and insurance adjuster for catastrophic losses. He's a Vietnam Veteran and served his country as a door gunner on helicopters. Russell is a member of Navigators, a Christian based fellowship, and an active member of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce. Russell is also a single parent who has raised his son, Dillon, since he was four months old.
Bar Admissions:
New Mexico, 1997
Education:
Juris Doctor, 1997
Oklahoma City University School of Law,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration
University of Phoenix,
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 2003
Thomas M. Allison
Tom is a valued and dedicated member of Whitener Law Firm, and is a shareholder in the firm. A former insurance industry adjuster, attorney, and lobbyist, Tom now has well over a decade of experience in all types of personal injury and insurance bad faith law. He is as tenacious in his practice of law as he is in his hobbies of racquetball and squash, and devotes much of his spare time to charitable causes for the community.
Bar Admissions:
New Mexico, 1996 U.S. District Court of New Mexico, 1997
Education:
Juris Doctor, 1996
University of New Mexico School of Law,
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bachelor of Business Administration (Major: Finance), 1987
Honors: Presidential Scholar
University of New Mexico,
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Governing Council CATA Charter High School, 2006 ' 2008 New Mexico Christian Legal Aid, 2007 - Present
Matthew J. O'Neill
Matthew J. O'Neill is a native New Mexican and currently an Associate Member of the firm. He comes to our firm after serving as General Counsel for the City of Albuquerque Police Department and the Public Defender for the State of New Mexico. He is fluent in Spanish.
Bar Admissions:
New Mexico, 1997 U.S. District Court of New Mexico, 2006
Education:
Juris Doctor, 1997
DePaul University College of Law,
Chicago, Illinois
Bachelor of Arts, 1992
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Instituto Cultural De Las Americas
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, 1999
Centro Internacional De Solidaridad
San Salvador, El Salvador, 1996
Universidad de Iberoamericana
Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico, 1991
Charles W. Bennett
Charles Bennett is another valued and dedicated member of Whitener Law Firm. He is also currently an Associate Member of the firm. Charles is admitted to practice law in both New Mexico and Ohio, and has substantial experience in personal injury law. He has dedicated his career pursuing the rights of victims, representing them both in the personal injury arena and in medical malpractice claims. Charles was in charge of DWI prosecution in the First Judicial District of New Mexico where he managed four other lawyers in the District Attorney's Office, and prior to that, prosecuted over 30 cases in the State of Ohio. Charles also enjoys a wonderful family life, and has enjoyed athletic activities since his swimming competition days at Ohio State University.
Bar Admissions:
New Mexico, 2006 U.S. District Court of New Mexico, 2007 Federal District Court, District of Ohio, 2006
Education:
Juris Doctor, 1998
Thomas M. Cooley School of Law
Lansing, Michigan
Bachelor of Science (Major: Finance),
1983 Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
James Ellis
Jim Ellis was raised in Arlington, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. He attended the Arlington County Y.M.C.A. Daycamp as well as Camp Letts. He later became an after school counselor with the same Y.M.C.A. and became the Aquatics Director. He became an Eagle Scout at age fifteen and was a charter camp counselor at Goshen Scout Camp.
He graduated from Yorktown High School as did Kathy Couric, albeit seven years later. He attended UNM on a Navy ROTC scholarship and graduated in three and a half years. He was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy during the Vietnam Conflict. His first ship was the U.S.S. McDonough, DLG 8, a guided missile destroyer. He spent four years on active duty in Charleston, South Carolina. He attended two years at the University of Puget Sound School of Law in Tacoma, Washington and transferred to the UNM School of Law for his third year, graduating in 1980. He was in the United States Naval Reserves for 7 years and his duty included being the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Haleakala Reserve Unit.
He has been in private practice as a “Famous Trial Attorney” in Albuquerque since 1981. He practices civil litigation and enjoys jury trials. Automobile collision cases, medical negligence cases and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights cases make up the bulk of his practice.
A long-standing member of the American Trial Lawyer Association and New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association, he has participated in 34 jury trials as lead counsel and has settled two cases valued at over one million dollars (structured settlements). Two years ago he achieved a career-long goal of having a jury award a verdict of over a million dollars.
Jim is also active in the community, having served in such varied capacities as soccer coach, high school volleyball booster club president and an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque. His favorite pastimes include cruising the high seas with his wife, Elida, watching his children, Kayleena and Trevor, grow into adulthood and playing with his granddaughter, Jordan.
Since joining the Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque in April 1981, he has been on the Board of Directors (twice), has been a program chairperson several times, has chaired the Pancake Breakfast, co-chaired the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Committee three years, and is currently on the Membership Committee. He has four years of perfect attendance and hopes to be President of the Club in 2022 when he has reached the age of 70.
