About Brian M.
Brian M. Close earned his law degree from the University of New Mexico, completing his J.D. in 2010 after beginning law school in 2007. He moved quickly into public defense work upon graduation, taking a role in 2010 as a felony and misdemeanor lawyer in the New Mexico Public Defender’s Office. Those early years placed him inside courthouses and in front of juries often, handling a mix of serious and routine criminal matters for clients who could not afford private counsel.
That trial-room experience shaped the next step in his career. In 2013 he founded Close Law Office, P.C. and serves as its president. He built the practice around criminal defense work, carrying forward litigation skills honed during his time with the public defender’s office. The firm handles cases across a range of criminal charges and seeks to resolve matters in court when necessary.
Close’s bar and association memberships reflect a practice that spans state lines. He is admitted to practice in New Mexico and Colorado. He joined the State Bar of Colorado in 2014 and became a member of the Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyers Association in 2016. Records also show another professional membership beginning in 2010 that remains current.
Colleagues and clients describe Close as a lawyer who spends much of his time in court. His background as a public defender gave him early exposure to felony dockets, plea negotiations, and trials. At his firm he has continued to handle both misdemeanor and felony matters, covering arraignments, pretrial motions, and jury trials when cases proceed that far. He also works on sentencing hearings and post-conviction matters when needed.
Outside the courtroom, Close has managed the operational side of a small law firm since 2013. That responsibility includes client intake, case management and coordinating with other attorneys when matters require co-counsel or specialized expertise. He maintains professional memberships that keep him connected to developments in criminal law in Colorado and the broader criminal defense community.
He now leads Close Law Office, P.C., where he represents clients in criminal matters in New Mexico and Colorado.
