Fetsum Debessai Habtemariam

Fetsum Habtemariam is an Associate in the Albuquerque office of Hall Booth Smith, where his practice focuses on medical malpractice defense, healthcare litigation, professional liability, and complex civil litigation. He represents physicians, hospitals, healthcare systems, clinics, and other healthcare providers in all stages of litigation, including pre-suit investigation, discovery, dispositive motion practice, expert coordination, deposition preparation, and trial support.

Prior to joining Hall Booth Smith, Fetsum practiced with Krehbiel & Barnett, P.C., where he represented healthcare providers and medical institutions in complex medical malpractice and professional liability matters. His experience includes analyzing extensive medical records, developing litigation strategy, drafting dispositive motions and other substantive pleadings, managing expert discovery, preparing witnesses and experts for deposition and trial, and assisting clients in navigating administrative and regulatory matters involving healthcare professionals.

Before entering medical malpractice defense, Fetsum served as a Law Clerk with Peak Legal Group, LLC, where he assisted attorneys in a broad range of family law matters, including divorce, child custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, and post-judgment proceedings. He also completed a legal externship with the New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender, where he gained valuable courtroom experience supporting attorneys in felony and misdemeanor criminal defense matters through legal research, motion practice, discovery review, and trial preparation.

Fetsum earned his Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law, where he served for three years as an Editor and Member of the Natural Resources Journal. He was also an active member of the Black Law Students Association, served on the Student Bar Association’s Diversity & Equity Inclusion Board, and earned the Natural Resources and Environmental Law (NREL) Certificate for J.D. students.