Carlos J. Padilla
Partner, Albuquerque
Carlos J. Padilla
Carlos is a proud New Mexican born and raised in the land of enchantment. Mr. Padilla grew up in Santa Fe, attended New Mexico State University in Las Cruces and the University of New Mexico School of Law in Albuquerque. He began his legal career at Cuddy & McCarthy in May 2018. Mr. Padilla left the firm briefly for a two-year clerkship with the Honorable Jaqueline R. Medina at the New Mexico Court of Appeals, before returning to Cuddy & McCarthy in September 2021. Mr. Padilla is deeply engaged in the New Mexico legal community. He has contributed as a board member of the New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association the Art Jaramillo Summer Clerk program.
- University of New Mexico School of Law, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- J.D. – 2018
- New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico
- B.A. – 2012
- Major: Government
- New Mexico, 2018
- U.S. District Court District of New Mexico, 2018
Mr. Padilla regularly speaks at professional seminars on issues relating to school law. Most recently, Mr. Padilla participated as a presenter at the New Mexico School Boards Association’s 46th Annual School Law Conference In June 2025, at which he led multiple sessions including sessions on:
- school budgeting
- student free speech
- search-and-seizure in schools
- school finance/spending legislation
- New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association
- Board Member 2018 – 2023
- Treasurer 2020 – 2023
- UNM School of Law
- Participated in seminars on wage theft and housing insecurity panels, and support for the Economic Justice Clinic.
- Art Jaramillo Summer Clerk Program
- Co-chair of Cuddy & McCarthy selection committee with Karen Kilgor 2022-2025
Associated Staff
Crystal L. Pritchard
Paralegal
Fatima M. Martinez
Paralegal