Alice Riethman

Partner | Employment, Labor, and Benefits

About
Credentials
Experience
News & Insights

About

Alice brings a diverse background in employment litigation, representing both employees and employers, and prior experience in human resources. For clients in Washington and New Mexico, this means real-world employer advice on the most critical topics in employment, practical compliance assistance in navigating employment laws, and workplace training that is tailored to each organization’s unique needs.

  • Alice is located in beautiful Spokane, Washington where she collaborates with fellow PierFerd partner, Michael Church. Previously, Alice lived in Northern Virginia and worked independently and with a Washington, DC-based law firm to provide human resources consulting leadership and expertise. Before relocating to the DC area, Alice built an employer advice and training practice in Albuquerque, NM devoted to working with organizations on workplace compliance issues and streamlining and improving the employer/employee relationship. Alice brings experience in employment litigation (representing both employers and employees) as well as management-side labor matters. Prior to entering the legal field, she worked in human resources specializing in the areas of state and federal regulatory compliance (including multi-state compliance matters, oversight of Affirmative Action Plans, Equal Employment Opportunity Programs, USERRA, and the Family and Medical Leave Act) and corporate training.

    Alice is a local, state, and national speaker in the areas of employment law, human resources, and public policy. As the spouse of an active-duty Air Force pilot, Alice is also a passionate and knowledgeable advocate on matters related to the employment and licensure of military spouses.

Practices

  • Employment and Labor

Admissions

  • Washington

  • New Mexico

  • United States Federal Court for the District of New Mexico

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

Education

  • The University of New Mexico School of Law, J.D.

  • The University of New Mexico, B.A. (Political Science)

Recognition and Awards

  • 2014 & 2015 Southwest Super Lawyers Rising Star

Memberships

  • American Bar Association

Law Firm Experience

  • Fortney Scott

  • Moody & Warner, P.C.

Community Service and Volunteer

  • United States Air Force – Key Spouse (2018-2024), Commander’s Key Support Liaison Mentor (2024-present)

  • SHRM – Labor Special Expertise Panel Member (2016-2020)

  • State Bar of New Mexico, Employment and Labor Law Panel – Director (2013-2016)

  • SHRM NM Board of Directors – Legislative Director (2009-2014), Federal Legislative Director (2015)

  • SHRM NM Employment Law & Legislative Conference – Co-Founder (2009), Co-Chair (2010), Chair (2013)

  • Human Resource Management Association of NM Board of Directors – VP Legislative Affairs (2008-2009)

Publications

Speaking Engagements

National speaking engagements, including:

  • Military Spouses: The Talented Workforce You May Be Missing - SHRM Talent Conference, Las Vegas, NV – April 2024

  • Military Spouses: The Awesome Workforce You May Be Missing – The Close It! Summit, Santa Fe, NM – October 2019

  • Navigating the New HR Risk Landscape - SHRM Annual Conference, Orlando, FL – June 2014

  • The Limitless Workplace: Technology & Social Media in the World of Work - SHRM Annual Conference, Orlando, FL – June 2014

  • ADAAA Case Law: A Moving Target – SHRM Annual Conference, Chicago, IL – June 2013

  • The Limitless Workplace: Technology and Social Media in the World of Work – SHRM Employment Law & Legislative Conference, Washington, DC – March 2013

SHRM state chapter conferences, including:

  • Keynote - Employment Law for HR: 2026 Case Law Update – Washington SHRM State Conference, Bellevue, WA – March 2026 (co-presented with Michael Church)

  • Employment Law for HR: 2025 Case Law Update – Washington SHRM State Conference, Bellevue, WA – March 2025 (co-presented with Michael Church)

  • Employee Handbooks: Is Yours Ready for a Close-Up? – SHRM New Mexico State Conference, Albuquerque, NM – May 2023

  • The Top 10 Things Your Employment Lawyer Wishes You Knew – Garden State SHRM Conference & Expo, Atlantic City, NJ – October 2019

  • Alphabet Soup: FMLA, ADA, and Employee Leave – SHRM New Mexico Employment Law & Legislative Conference, Albuquerque, NM – March 2017

  • Employment Law Basics – SHRM New Mexico State Conference, Albuquerque, NM – May 2016

  • Keeping up your HR Game: Staying on Top of HR Public Policy – SHRM New Mexico State Conference, Albuquerque, NM – March 2012

  • The Changing Face of Healthcare in the United States – SHRM NM State Conference, Albuquerque, NM – May 2010

More than 40 instructional sessions for local SHRM chapters throughout New Mexico and Washington state.

More than 50 instructional hours teaching human resources and employment law related content for the University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management, Management Development Center.

By invitation from various community and business organizations, including:

  • Top 10 Human Resources Pitfalls – New Mexico Governor’s Conference on Hospitality & Tourism, Albuquerque, NM – May 2017

  • Interview - Public Policy Update for Employers - Let’s Talk Business! New Mexico (radio program) – November 2015, February 2016

  • Independent Contractor or Employee - New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions Employer Summit, Albuquerque, NM – December 2015