Yarithza Peña

Ms. Peña is an Associate Attorney at Hardy McLean LLC. 

 

Ms. Peña’s practice focuses on natural resources and utility law, with an emphasis on representing oil and gas operators in administrative and regulatory matters. Ms. Peña routinely appears before the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division and the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission, where she represents operators in compulsory pooling actions and related regulatory proceedings for both vertical and horizontal, saltwater disposal, and acid gas injection wells.

 

Prior to joining Hardy McLean, Ms. Peña also gained experience in general environmental litigation, medical malpractice defense, and general civil defense, broadening her perspective across multiple areas of civil litigation. Ms. Peña’s experience includes defending clients in complex environmental litigation, advising operators on regulatory compliance, and supporting acquisitions and other energy‑related transactions through detailed due diligence and strategic guidance. Ms. Peña also works closely with federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as various state agencies, handling complex FOIA and IPRA requests and guiding clients through the intricacies of governmental information‑access processes.

 

Ms. Peña also maintains a strong commitment to public‑interest work. She has handled pro bono family law and immigration matters and continues to serve as a resource for underserved communities navigating legal challenges, reflecting her dedication to meaningful community impact alongside her energy‑focused practice.

 

A proud Albuquerque native, Ms. Peña earned both her undergraduate degree and her Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico. During law school, she supported individuals facing landlord‑tenant issues during the COVID‑19 pandemic and gained broad litigation experience in trial practice, criminal law, family law, and immigration matters through the Community Lawyering Clinic.

 

Outside the office, she enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and being with her family, friends, and long-haired dachshund, Penny.