Her current practice includes defending police, government agencies, and public officials in tort liability and constitutional rights cases arising under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the New Mexico Tort Claims Act. Ms. Sona also represents regulatory agencies in environmental matters, including rulemaking. Along with Taylor S. Rahn, Ms. Sona provides strategic legal counsel on the McClendon consent decree, an institutional reform cases in New Mexico.
Prior to joining Robles, Rael & Anaya, P.C., Ms. Sona served as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Albuquerque. She advised on all aspects of air quality under a complex regulatory scheme involving the Clean Air Act, state law, and local law. Her work supported policy development, regulatory enforcement, and legislative initiatives aimed at protecting public health and environmental quality. She represented the City in air quality administrative rulemakings and adjudications, and federal proceedings involving Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Additionally, Ms. Sona previously practiced in the private sector representing Tribal Nations and Tribal entities in a variety of general and complex transactional and litigation matters, as well as advocating for policy changes in legislation and agency rulemakings. Ms. Sona met with members of Congress, federal agencies, and committee staff to ensure Tribal priorities were not only heard – but acted on. She worked to shape policy, secure federal funding, and protect Tribal sovereignty through legislative and administrative advocacy in Washington, D.C.
Ms. Sona graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law (Cum Laude) in December 2016. During law school, Ms. Sona served as a law clerk in Washington, D.C. for the United States Environmental Protection Agency in the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Honors Program. She also worked as a law clerk in New Mexico for the Department of Cultural Affairs. Additionally, Ms. Sona represented low-income Tribal members through the University of New Mexico Southwest Indian Law Clinic resolving civil and criminal matters arising under international, federal, state, and tribal law. Her practice included the New Mexico District Court, and the Tribal courts of Isleta Pueblo, Laguna Pueblo and Zia Pueblo, as well as conducting peacemaking sessions. Ms. Sona also participated in the Madrid Summer Law Institute, studying abroad with classes in International Business Transactions and European Union Law. Prior to law school, Ms. Sona graduated from Michigan State University (Magna Cum Laude) with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Certificate of Concentration in Museum Studies.
In her personal time, Ms. Sona enjoys spending time with her family and cooking. She is an avid baker, and delights in sharing her recipes and food with family and friends.
