Daniel T. Montoya

Attorney

Daniel T. Montoya is an attorney licensed to practice law in New York and New Mexico. He received a B.A. in Psychology from Columbia College and a Juris Doctor from Columbia University School of Law.

Upon graduation from law school, Daniel practiced municipal and corporate finance law, securities and venture capital law, and banking law for fifteen years in New York City. He worked for Citibank’s WorldWide Securities Services Legal department, including the trust and custody departments. Daniel was responsible for creating the framework and the account opening process for the custody of securities in Citibank’s branches and offices in over 50 countries. He also assisted the Global Relationship Bank in connection with the Citibank-Traveler’s merger.

After moving to New Mexico, Daniel launched Taos Community Foundation as its first executive director. After two years, Daniel began a twenty-two-year career with Heritage Trust Company of New Mexico, a Taos-based independent trust company. He was initially engaged as a consultant, focusing on compliance and administration (including the development of a comprehensive Policy Manual and a detailed Procedures Manual, and the satisfaction of its regulatory obligations with the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division), appointed as Executive Vice President, and eventually President & CEO. Daniel was also a member of the Board of Directors during that time.

Daniel has provided consulting services to businesses and non-profit companies, and volunteered with several local non-profits, over the years. He is a member of the New Mexico Estate Planning Council and the Santa Fe Estate Planning Council.

With his extensive experience in trust and estate administration, Daniel is returning to the practice of law and will focus on Estate Planning, Guardianships and Conservatorships, Special Needs Trust & Planning, Elder Law, and Trust & Estate Administration.

In his youth, Daniel spent summers and winter breaks on his grandparents’ farm in Peñasco, NM, establishing his New Mexico roots early. Daniel loves hiking and backpacking in the mountains of northern New Mexico, skiing, gardening, photography, and writing. He is a long-time practitioner of Taiji Quan and Qigong.

Education

  • Columbia University School of Law
    JD, 1984
  • Columbia College
    BA in Psychology, 1981

Admissions to Practice

  • Licensed to practice law in New Mexico and New York
  • U.S. District Court of New Mexico
  • U.S. District Court of New York

Memberships and Activities

  • New Mexico Estate Planning Council
    Member
  • Santa Fe Estate Planning Council
    Member
  • New Mexico Bar Association
    Elder Law Section, Member
  • New Mexico Bar Association
    Real Property, Trust & Estate Section, Member