Elege Simons Harwood is a compassionate family law attorney and experienced mediator and settlement facilitator, dedicated to helping families navigate difficult transitions with dignity and care. Her practice emphasizes resolving disputes through mediation, working directly with both parties to reach agreements, and settlement facilitation, where she helps clients and their attorneys move toward resolution in complex or contested matters. In addition to her private work, Elege serves as a volunteer mediator for the courts and is regularly appointed by the court as a settlement facilitator. She also provides skilled representation in a wide range of family law issues, including divorce, child custody, child support, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, kinship guardianship, and serving as Guardian Ad Litem for children and adults.
Elege firmly believes that family law issues can and should be resolved with respect and compassion, and she approaches every case with the intention of fostering positive, lasting outcomes for her clients. Whether facilitating settlement discussions, mediating sensitive agreements, or representing clients in court, she brings deep knowledge, empathy, and professionalism to her work.
A Santa Fe native, Elege earned her Associate of Arts degree at New York University, then returned home to complete her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the College of Santa Fe. She later earned her J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2004.
Elege’s career began as a law clerk to Judge Carol Vigil of the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe. She later served as a contract attorney for the New Mexico Court of Appeals, representing parents in termination of parental rights appeals. In addition, Elege was an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law, where she taught Children’s Health Law Policy and Ethics.
Outside of her legal practice, Elege enjoys life in her hometown of Santa Fe with her husband, Kyle, and their three sons. She is actively involved in her children’s schools and has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including Resolve Personal Safety and Challenge New Mexico. Together with her family, she embraces the rewards and adventures of raising a family in Northern New Mexico while remaining deeply engaged in the local community.
