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Voice for Every Child
Experienced Guardian ad Litem services providing neutral, thorough, and court-appointed advocacy in complex and high-conflict custody matters.
Focused on Children and Families
For nearly two decades, Ms. Cass has focused her practice almost exclusively on matters involving children. Her current practice consists entirely of:
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Guardian ad Litem services
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Special Master Parent Coordinator services
in high-conflict custody disputes.
Previously, she provided legal services in abuse and neglect proceedings for over twelve years. She contracted with Sandoval County to represent children and parents in abuse and neglect cases and with Advocacy, Inc. to represent children in foster care and dependents of the State of New Mexico in Bernalillo County.
Prior Prosecutorial Experience
Before returning to New Mexico, Ms. Cass served as an Assistant District Attorney in Texas, where she prosecuted hundreds of cases involving violent crimes, drug offenses, theft, and crimes against children. This courtroom experience strengthened her investigative skills and deepened her understanding of complex family and child protection matters.
Education & Professional Background
Originally from New Mexico, Ms. Cass attended Albuquerque public schools and later graduated with honors from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology.
While working as:
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An investigator for the Crime Victims Reparation Commission
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A probation and parole officer in Sandoval County
she completed her Master of Public Administration at the University of New Mexico in 1997, with a concentration in alternative dispute resolution.
She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center in May 2000 and passed the Texas Bar on her first attempt. During law school, she participated in distinguished internships and programs including:
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Department of the Navy (NAVSEA), Virginia
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City of College Station Attorney’s Office
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Texas A&M University System General Counsel’s Office
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Houston Journal of International Law
In 2005, she returned to New Mexico, passed the New Mexico Bar, and has since been actively engaged in the practice of law within the state.
Professional Commitment
Attorney Laura Cass is diligent, thorough, and professional in every appointment. She zealously represents the best interests of children while maintaining neutrality and integrity in court-appointed roles. She remains current on developments in family and children’s law and continually refines her practice to provide the highest level of service to the courts and the families she serves.
Licenses, Training & Memberships
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State Bar of New Mexico (2007)
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State Bar of Texas (2000)
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New Mexico Real Estate Commission (2010)
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Successful Completion of Basic Mediation Course (1997)
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Collaborative Law Training
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Member, Albuquerque Bar Association
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Member, New Mexico Bar – Family Law Section
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Member, New Mexico Bar – Children’s Law Section
A Professional and Experienced Attorney Representing the Best Interests of Children in New Mexico
Laura Cass, Esq.
Over 25 Years of Legal Experience
Laura Cass is a licensed attorney in New Mexico and Texas with more than twenty-five years of legal experience. Since returning to New Mexico in 2005, she has received special recognition for her extensive court appointments as a Guardian ad Litem in complex and high-conflict child custody matters.
In her role as Guardian ad Litem, Ms. Cass conducts thorough investigations, represents the best interests of children, and provides independent recommendations to the court. When families are navigating difficult custody disputes, a neutral, experienced, and professional advocate focused solely on the welfare of the children is essential. Ms. Cass is dedicated to providing diligent, ethical, and exceptional Guardian ad Litem services.
GAL Services
The main types of Guardian Ad Litem legal services are the following:
1. Investigate and make recommendations on time-sharing and other parenting plan matters: This can be done in conjunction with a custody evaluation wherein I make interim recommendations pending the completion of a full custody evaluation by a psychologist (Rule 11-706 evaluator). It also can be done instead of a custody evaluation except that I do not do any psychological testing.
2. Investigation and make recommendations on Motions to Modify Custody.
3. Investigate and make recommendations on allegations of abuse .
4. Monitoring of compliance with court orders and referrals for services: When a Parenting Plan is already in place, a guardian ad litem can assist the parents in monitoring compliance with court orders, making referrals as needed and assisting to resolve disputes that arise between the parents in the best interest of the children.
5. Parent coordinator duties: Similar to #2 above, a guardian ad litem can be appointed to specifically assist the parents with decision making on matters concerning their children to avoid costly litigation. As guardian ad litem or special master parent coordinator, I can meet with the parents on a regular basis to discuss and resolve issues concerning the children as they arise. If the parent agree, pursuant to a stipulated court order, to give me arbitration authority then I can make a decision for the parents on the disputed issue if they cannot otherwise reach a mutual agreement.
6. Relocation cases: As guardian ad litem, I can fully investigate a parent’s request to relocate with the children out-of-state and make a recommendation to the court on whether such request is in the best interest of the children.
7. Kinship guardianship cases: If a kinship guardianship is objected to by one or both parents, a guardian ad litem is appointed to investigate the situation and make recommendations pursuant to the Kinship Guardianship Act.
A guardian ad litem’s duties should be specifically spelled out in the Order Appointing Guardian Ad Litem so that there is no confusion about the role and scope of the appointment, including whether or not the guardian ad litem has full arbitration authority or arbitration authority pending either parent’s right to file objections with the Court.
It is highly recommended that the parents agree to the appointment with “arbitration authority”. This allows me to make binding recommendation, subject to court review so that time sensitive matters can be resolved quickly.
Parental Guidelines
- Keep all communication child‑focused and respectful.
- Respond to requests from the court and GAL on time.
- Share important information honestly and completely.
- Avoid speaking negatively about the other parent to your child.
- Ask questions if you do not understand a step in the process.
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