Local attorneys may apply for judgeship
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation in March which adds one additional seat to the 13th Judicial District which legislates issues in Cibola County and two other counties, Valencia and Sandoval. An extra seat means there will be nine judges in the 13th Judicial District, the extra seat will be added in July.
The seat may be empty to start, and the State of New Mexico is accepting applications to fill the seat. An appointment will be made by Governor Lujan Grisham from the pool of applicants. Those interested in filling the judicial seat must be a lawyer who meets all legal requirements presented in the New Mexico State Constitution’s Article IX. Applicant must have practiced law for six years in the 13th Judicial District.
Those seeking appointment to the bench must retrieve an application from https://lawschool.unm.edu/judsel/application.html, or contact the Judicial Selection Office at akin@law.unm.edu.
The state is looking for interested applicants to help serve justice impartially and fairly. Applicants will come from all three counties served by the 13th Judicial District. Cibola County applicants can call 505-287-8831, the court’s office in Cibola, for more information about the selection process.
The Judicial Nominating Commission will meet at 9 a.m. on June 10 at the Judicial Complex in Sandoval County, 1500 Idalia Road – Courthouse B. At this meeting, the commission will interview prospective judges. This meeting is open to the public and public comment will be allowed. Masks are required to attend this meeting, regardless of a person’s vaccination status.
People with questions or those seeking more information can contact the Secretary of State’s Elections Bureau at 505-827-3600. Once appointed to the post, the new judge will need to run for election to the position in 2024.