Modrall Sperling Law Firm

Roberta Cooper Ramo concentrates her practice in the areas of arbitration, mediation, business law, real estate, probate and estate planning. She often is called on to assist corporations with their strategic and long term legal planning, an area in which she has particular expertise. Roberta is recognized by Best Lawyers in America® in Arbitration and Mediation.  She was selected as “Lawyer of the Year” in Albuquerque for Arbitration in 2017 and Mediation in 2018.

On August 1, 2015, Roberta received the American Bar Association’s highest award, the ABA Medal. Roberta previously served as president of the American Bar Association from 1995 to 1996, the first woman in history to lead the largest nationwide organization of attorneys. She also served as the first woman president of The American Law Institute, from 2008 to 2017, and is now the organization’s Chair. In 2011, she was elected into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, adding her name to a prestigious list of members including George Washington and Albert Einstein, among other notables.

A Fellow of both the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and the American Bar Foundation, Roberta also has served as a panel member for the American Arbitration Association. Roberta is Board Chair of Think New Mexico, a non-partisan think tank, a member of the Board of the Santa Fe Opera and Immediate Past Chair of Albuquerque Economic Development.

Roberta was appointed by the United States Senate and served as co-chair of a committee to review governance issues of the U. S. Olympic Committee in 2003. She was named an honorary member of the Bar of England and Wales, and of Gray’s Inn in 2000. She served on the Board of Regents for the University of New Mexico from 1989 to 1995, and as President of the Board from 1991 to 1993. She also served on the New Mexico Board of Finance.

Education

University of Chicago School of Law, J.D., 1967

University of Colorado, B.A., 1964, magna cum laude

Bar Admissions

New Mexico

Texas

  • American Bar Association, President, 1995-1996
  • The American Law Institute, President, 2008-2017; Chair, 2017-present
  • American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2011
  • Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • Albuquerque Economic Development, Chair, 2017-2018; Immediate Past Chair, 2019
  • Santa Fe Opera, Executive Committee
  • Think New Mexico, Board of Directors, Chair, 2013
  • U. S. Senate committee appointment, served as co-chair of committee to review and make recommendations regarding the U. S. Olympic Committee, 2003
  • Honorary Member of Bar of England and Wales, and of Gray’s Inn, 2000
  • Board of Regents, University of New Mexico, 1989-1995; President of Board of Regents, 1991-1993
  • New Mexico Board of Finance, former member
  • American Bar Association, recipient of the ABA Medal, 2015
  • Best Lawyers® 2018 Mediation “Lawyer of the Year” in Albuquerque
  • Best Lawyers® 2017 Arbitration “Lawyer of the Year” in Albuquerque
  • Best Lawyers in America® in Arbitration and Mediation, 2010-present
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers

Honorary Degrees

  • Doctor of Laws, University of Missouri, Kansas City
  • Doctor of Humane Letters, University of Colorado
  • Doctor of Laws, The University of Denver
  • Doctor of Laws, Golden Gate University
  • Doctor of Laws, University of South Carolina
  • Doctor of Laws, Lewis & Clark Law School