Loni J. Hodge

Loni Jennifer Hodge is an accomplished Associate Attorney at New Mexico Financial & Estate Planning Attorneys, bringing over 19 years of extensive legal experience to the firm. A seasoned trial attorney, Loni has been advocating for clients in courtrooms since 2006, honing her trial skills, legal research, writing and oral advocacy across a wide spectrum of legal fields. Her diverse career has spanned multiple state and federal agencies as well as the private sector work, giving her a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

Loni began her legal career in the public sector, working in child support enforcement for the State of Tennessee. In 2008, she relocated to New Mexico to join the Public Defender’s office in Las Cruces. Over the years, she has represented a broad range of clients, from indigent defendants and concerned parents to large banks and oil companies. Her practice areas include criminal defense, employment law, family law, oil and gas title examination and consumer debt defense, showcasing her adaptability and depth of legal knowledge. Licensed to practice law in both Tennessee and New Mexico, Loni is a trusted advocate known for her dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to ethical standards.

Loni’s educational journey reflects her commitment to excellence. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from East Tennessee State University in 2003 and her Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law in Boston in 2006. During her junior year of college, Loni broadened her global perspective by studying abroad at Hong Kong Baptist University, an experience that deepened her understanding of diverse cultures and reinforced her belief in the power of dreaming big and working hard to achieve those dreams.

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Loni grew up in a single-parent household with her mother and two sisters. Her formative years were marked by discipline and teamwork, cultivated through her five-year participation in her high school marching band, where she played the alto saxophone and performed in prestigious events such as the Rose Bowl Parade, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade.

Outside of her legal career, Loni has a passion for cooking, a skill she learned from her maternal grandmother. She also enjoys cultivating her backyard fruit and vegetable garden and indoor herb garden. Loni is a member of the Albuquerque Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a public service organization, and formerly served as the Chapter’s Social Action Committee Chair. In addition, Loni regularly volunteers with the New Mexico Legal Aid Volunteer Attorney Program and the Gene Franchini Mock Trial competition. A proud dog mom to Gigi and Marvin, Loni values the balance that her personal interests bring to her life, allowing her to recharge and maintain focus on her professional goals.

Loni’s professional mission is to deliver compassionate and effective legal services while maintaining the highest ethical standards. Her wealth of experience, coupled with her dedication to her clients and community, makes her an invaluable member of New Mexico Financial & Estate Planning Attorneys.