Meet the Team & Get to Know Roberta S. Batley of Batley Riley Family Law
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Batley Riley Family Law
We often hear the same question: how do you do family law every day? When you listen to Roberta S. “Bobby” Batley answer that in her own words, the work looks different. As she puts it in her bio video, “what we’re doing is helping people live life in a different way.” That outlook captures why she leads our team’s work with such calm strength.
Meet Bobby Batley & Her New Mexico Roots
In the video, Bobby starts with the basics: “I’m Bobby Batley, I am from Farmington, New Mexico. I’m very proud of that. I am a family law attorney. I have been a family law attorney for 29 years.” Those few sentences say a lot about who she is and how she practices. She grew up in a New Mexico family business and later married into another. She understands how deeply a family’s future ties into a business, a livelihood, & a community. That background now helps her work with business owners who face divorce, complex property division, or high-conflict custody while trying to protect what they have built. Her commitment to New Mexico runs through her education & career. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, and her Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico. She built her career here and continues to serve families and businesses across the state.
A Third-Grade Decision That Still Drives Her
Bobby jokes in the video that she “decided, like a very strange little child in third grade to be an attorney.” During a career day, a lawyer spoke to her class about what they did in the community. That short visit stayed with her. “When they described the things they did in the community, I was like, that person was a man gets things done. I don’t know what that means, but I can just tell if you’re a lawyer, you can get things done. So I really decided that’s what I was going to do.” That third-grade determination shows up in the way she works today. From age 16, she took jobs in law firms so she could see firsthand what lawyers actually do. She worked in different types of legal practices throughout high school, college, & law school. That curiosity and drive help her cut through confusion for clients and focus on practical steps forward.
Why Family Law & Children’s Futures Matter To Her
Early in her career, Bobby gravitated toward children’s law and completed an internship at the children’s court. She shares in the video that she felt grateful for that experience because it helped her see the work more clearly. “What really struck me is a lot of these kids are coming into a system because something has happened in their families. And so if there’s a way to enhance the structure of a family, maybe that child has a better chance.” That realization guided her toward family law as the best way to support children by strengthening the families around them. In her written bio, she explains that she narrowed her focus to family law as a way to make a positive impact on people’s lives—especially children. Over more than 28 years in this field, that commitment has only deepened. Today, many of her clients are business owners and more sophisticated, solution-oriented parents facing high-conflict custody issues. She looks for clients who stay child-focused and want to resolve disputes through thoughtful, collaborative planning whenever possible.
Trial By Fire, Grit & Grace
One of the most human parts of Bobby’s story comes when she describes a major turning point: “After that law firm, I did a very crazy, maybe brave, maybe stupid thing, which is move here. And I opened my own law firm, hung a shingle with a four month old baby, and it was nuts. I was in court a lot. Trial by fire worked for me.” That moment captures her courage, work ethic, & practicality. She stepped into courtroom work with a young child at home and learned fast. That “trial by fire” shaped the seasoned family law attorney she is today, one who prepares thoroughly—whether she resolves a matter through negotiation, mediation, or trial. Her experience now includes:
Diplomat status with the American College of Family Trial Lawyers (limited to 100 people)
Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
National Board of Trial Advocacy Board Certified Advocate
Martindale-Hubbell AV rating and multiple peer-recognized honors across many years
These honors reflect how the legal community views her work in family law. Inside our firm, we see the same level of focus in the way she mentors our team, prepares cases, & supports clients.
Advocacy With Respect, Not Aggression
Bobby describes herself as a strong advocate, but she draws a clear line about how she practices. In her bio, she explains that she does not believe anyone needs to “be nasty to get your point across.” More than 28 years of practice have taught her that professionalism and respect often carry more weight than aggression. Many of her referrals come from people she once opposed in court. That says a lot about her style. She argues hard for her clients while still treating the other side—and the process—with dignity. This approach aligns with our firm’s commitment to integrity & teamwork. In the video, she sums up her sense of purpose this way: “I will always think this is what I was meant to do and it sounds crazy. Like, why? Why are you meant to be a divorce lawyer? Don’t get me wrong. Like I believe in marriage. I’m thrilled to be in the marriage I’m in. I just have such a high level of empathy and understanding for the human condition, and also a real lack of judgment.” That blend of empathy, belief in marriage, and lack of judgment helps clients feel safe sharing the full picture of their lives. She wants clients to know they can tell her anything. When hard truths need to be said, she delivers them so clients can make informed decisions. She views that honesty as part of the healing process.
Mediation, Collaboration & Creative Paths Forward
Bobby’s compassion does not stop at listening. She also brings strong skills in negotiation and problem-solving. She has served as a trained mediator since 1993 and a Collaborative practitioner since 2001. She also completed negotiation training through the AAML/Harvard Law Negotiation Institute. She believes families gain more control and privacy when they resolve disputes through peaceful means whenever possible. When she prepares for mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution, she brings the same tenacity she brings to trial work. At Batley Riley Family Law, this mindset supports our growth into broader mediation services, including mediations for parties who already have attorneys. Within our team, Lauren also offers flat-rate mediation for families where some people may not yet have representation. Together, we look for resolution paths that fit each family’s needs.
Experience With Divorce, Co-Parenting & Business Realities
Bobby does not just work in family law; she has lived through divorce and co-parenting herself. She shares that she would not wish that experience on anyone, but she also recognizes that sometimes it becomes a necessary step in someone’s journey. That history informs the way she speaks to clients about reshaping a family, protecting assets, & supporting children. She knows how overwhelming those decisions can feel and reminds clients that they are not alone. Our team stands behind that promise—we work together to educate clients and give them the tools to succeed in the next phase of their lives. Her small-business background adds another layer. Because she grew up in a family business and married into one, she has a deep sense of how business interests, family relationships, and long-term planning all intersect. That insight benefits business owners who must navigate divorce, custody, and financial questions without losing sight of the enterprise that supports their families.
Assisted Reproduction & Helping Families Grow
Alongside divorce, custody, & property matters, Bobby also handles a small but meaningful amount of assisted reproductive work. This area is a tiny part of what we do at Batley Riley Family Law, but it is one she enjoys. The process tends to be streamlined, and it gives her the chance to support people as they build or grow their families. That balance—helping families form and helping families restructure—reflects the full range of modern family law.
A Team Built On Integrity, Teamwork & Excellence
Bobby helped build our firm to operate as a true team. We assign attorneys and paralegals to match each case, then we brainstorm together. We share perspectives, test ideas, & look for creative solutions. Clients do not just hire one person; they gain the support of a coordinated group that wants them to succeed. Her leadership also extends into the wider legal community. She has served as Past Chair of the American Bar Association Family Law Section, sits on the Board of Governors for the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and contributes to multiple organizations focused on improving family law systems and outcomes. She frequently speaks for the ABA, AAML, and the State Bar of New Mexico, and she volunteers as a settlement facilitator for the 2nd Judicial District Court. All of that work circles back to the same idea she voices in her video: using the law to “help people live life in a different way.”
Get To Know Bobby Before You Call
We know that reaching out to a family law firm often comes during one of the hardest seasons in a person’s life. Meeting Bobby through her video first can make that step feel a little less daunting. When you watch, listen for:
Her New Mexico story and how proud she feels of where she comes from
The third-grade spark that led her to become a lawyer who “gets things done” for people
The “trial by fire” years of opening a firm with a four-month-old baby and learning in the courtroom
Her belief in empathy & lack of judgment as the foundation for effective advocacy
If what you hear resonates with your own situation—as a business owner, a parent, or someone facing a major family change—our team at Batley Riley Family Law is here to talk through your options. You can call us at (505) 576-7296 to schedule a conversation and start planning the next chapter of your life with informed, steady guidance at your side.
The content on this blog is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Nothing on this blog should be construed as legal advice on any specific legal issue or matter. Reading or using the information on this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Batley Riley Family Law.
