For questions about mediation scheduling or submission of exhibits, please contact the secretary listed below.
Kenneth Owens, Bureau Chief
Secretary: Francisca Duran - 841-6814
Kenneth Owens joined the WCA in 2018 and was later hired as the Mediation Bureau Chief. Since June of 2020 he has served as the Acting Deputy Director of Operations, which includes the Workers’ Compensation Court, Clerk of the Court, Mediation, Ombudsman and Self-Insurance Bureaus. Owens is a native New Mexican and a graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law and New Mexico Military Institute, where he received his commission as a United States Army officer. Owens has worked in the New Mexico legal community for over 25 years for both civil legal services and state government. Owens is a certified mediator, an at-large member of the State Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) committee and has been appointed to the IAIABC Dispute Resolution Committee.
Sheila Hurley
Secretary: Francisca Duran, 841-6814
Sheila Hurley was raised in England and New York, and has found her home in New Mexico. She received her bachelor’s degree in anthropology and biology from Hunter College, and her law degree from Fordham Law School in New York City. Ms. Hurley focused on both health and employment law in law school, and began her career working for Epstein Becker and Green LLC in its employment law division. Subsequently, she developed her own labor and employment law practice, including representation of both employers and employees. Ms. Hurley has served in various roles in federal, state and city government for many years. She assisted Social Security Administration administrative law judges in medical file reviews and decision writing. She served as a hearing officer for the City of New York’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). She joined the Workers’ Compensation Administration in June, 2021.
Alicia Leger
Secretary: Francisca Duran, 841-6814
Alicia Leger was born and raised in Las Vegas, New Mexico. After high school she studied in Singapore for two years and completed her international baccalaureate. She graduated from the University of New Mexico (UNM) with a degree in business administration in 2014 and received her law degree from the UNM School of Law in 2018. Following law school Alicia primarily practiced Guardian ad Litem work and employment discrimination on behalf of New Mexicans throughout the state. She has a passion for her native state and its diverse cultures and peoples and enjoys traveling.
Alex Ospino
Secretary: Liz Zon, 841-6076
Alex Ospino has lived in New Mexico most of his life. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of New Mexico in 2014 and graduated magna cum laude from the UNM Law School in 2017. He then entered private civil practice, representing a diverse clientele, from undocumented immigrants to multi-national corporations. Mr. Ospino joined the Workers' Compensation Administration in February, 2021.
Miriam Sutherland
Secretary: Liz Zon, 841-6076
Miriam Sutherland received her undergraduate degree from Wellesley College in Massachusetts and her law degree from American University Washington College of Law in D.C. As a member of the New Mexico, Texas, Maryland and D.C. bars, she has served in various leadership roles and and committees since 2003. Ms. Sutherland previously served as an administrative law judge with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions and has litigated family law and probate cases for the past nine years in private practice. Ms. Sutherland joined the WCA in February, 2021.