Judicial Vacancies
The Constitution of New Mexico mandates conduction of Judicial selection by the Judicial Nominating Commission, a board comprised of New Mexico Judges, attorneys and citizens, chaired by the Dean of the UNM School of Law.
The Commission solicits applications, interviews and recommends candidates to the Governor of New Mexico for each judicial vacancy on either of the state appellate courts, any of the 13 state district courts, and the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.
Magistrate court vacancies are not subject to this process. Information about current magistrate court vacancies, and application procedures, can be found on the Governor’s website.
Twelfth Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission Candidate Announcement
May 30, 2023
The Twelfth Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission convened at the Otero County District Court located at 1000 New York Avenue, Alamogordo, NM, on Friday, May 26, 2023, to interview applicants for the position in the Twelfth Judicial District Court, due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Steven E. Blankinship, effective May 13, 2023.
The Commission recommends the following candidates to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham:
The names of the applicants in alphabetical order:
Debora Gerads
Stephen Ochoa
Fifth Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission Candidate Announcement
May 30, 2023
The Fifth Judicial District Court Nominating Commission convened at the Lea County District Court located at 100 N. Love St., Lovington, NM 88260 on Thursday, May 25, 2023, to interview applicants for the position in the Fifth Judicial District Court in Lovington, NM due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge William Shoobridge, effective May 1, 2023.
The Commission recommends the following candidate to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham:
The name of the applicant in alphabetical order:
Efren Andres Cortez
Fifth Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission - Applicant and Time Announcement
Three applications have been received in the Judicial Selection Office as of 5:00 pm, Thursday, May 11, 2023, for the vacancy on the Fifth Judicial District Court in Lovington, NM due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge William Shoobridge, effective May 1, 2023.
The Fifth Judicial District Court Nominating Commission will convene on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 1:00 pm to interview applicants for the position at the Lea County District Court located at 100 N. Love St., Lovington, NM 88260.
The Commission meeting is open to the public, and members of the public who wish to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to be heard.
The names of the applicants in alphabetical order:
- Efren Andres Cortez
- Kristen Rae Dickey
- Lisa Gayle Kuykendall
Judicial Nominating Commission Twelfth Judicial District Court - Applicant Announcement
Three applications have been received in the Judicial Selection Office as of 5:00 pm, Friday, May 5, 2023, for the vacancy on the Twelfth Judicial District Court due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Steven E. Blankinship, effective May 13, 2023.
The Twelfth Judicial District Court Nominating Commission will convene on Friday, May 26, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. to interview applicants for the position at the Otero County District Court located at 1000 New York Avenue, Alamogordo, NM.
The Commission meeting is open to the public, and members of the public who wish to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to be heard.
The names of the applicants in alphabetical order:
- Debora Gerads
- Albert R. Greene III
- Stephen Ochoa
Request for Additional Applications and Date Change Judicial Nominating Commission Fifth Judicial District Court – Lovington, NM
April 20, 2023
Two (2) applications were received in the Judicial Selection Office as of 5:00 pm on Monday, April 17, 2023, for the vacancy on the Fifth Judicial District Court in Lovington, NM due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge William Shoobridge, effective May 1, 2023.
As a result, the application period will be reopened and extend to Thursday, May 11, 2023 by 5:00 pm. Applications received after that time will not be considered. Applications received by the initial deadline of Monday, April 17, 2023, remain viable and do not need to resubmit their applications.
The Fifth Judicial District Court Nominating Commission will meet on Thursday, May 25, 2023, (time to be determined) to interview applicants for the position at the Lea County District Court located at 100 N. Love St., Lovington, NM 88260, to evaluate the applicants for this position. The Commission meeting is open to the public, and members of the public who wish to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to be heard.
Judicial Nominating Commission Announcement of Vacancy Twelfth Judicial District Court
A vacancy on the Twelfth Judicial District Court in Alamogordo, NM will exist as of May 14, 2023 due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Steven E. Blankinship, effective May 13, 2023. Inquiries regarding the details or assignment of this judicial vacancy should be directed to the Administrator of the Court. Applicants seeking information regarding election or retention if appointed should contact the Bureau of Elections in the Office of the Secretary of State.
Camille Carey, Chair of the Twelfth Judicial Nominating Commission, solicits applications for this
position from lawyers who meet the statutory qualifications in Article VI, Section 8 of the New Mexico Constitution. Applications may be obtained from the Judicial Selection website: https://lawschool.unm.edu/judsel/application.html, or emailed to you by contacting the Judicial Selection Office at akin@law.unm.edu The deadline for applications has been set for Friday, May 5, 2023 by 5:00 pm . Applications received after that date and time will not be considered.
The Twelfth Judicial District Court Nominating Commission will convene on Friday, May 26, 2023 beginning at 9:30 a.m. to interview applicants for the position at the Otero County District Court located at 1000 New York Avenue, Alamogordo, NM. The Commission meeting is open to the public, and members of the public who wish to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to be heard.
Twelfth Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission - Proposed Changes to the Rules Governing Judicial Nominating Commissions
The New Mexico Supreme Court’s Equity and Justice Commission’s Subcommittee on Judicial Nominations has proposed changes to the Rules Governing New Mexico Judicial Nominating Commissions. These proposed changes will be discussed and voted on during the upcoming meeting of the Twelfth Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission. The Commission meeting is open to the public beginning at 9:30 am on Friday, May 26, 2023, at the Otero County District Court located at 1000 New York Avenue, Alamogordo, NM. Please email Beverly Akin (akin@law.unm.edu) if you would like to request a copy of the proposed changes.
RECONVENE Eleventh Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission Candidate Announcement
March 29, 2023
The Eleventh Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission reconvened in Gallup, New Mexico on Monday, March 27, 2023, to interview additional applicants for the position in the Eleventh Judicial District Court due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Robert Aragon, effective January 31, 2023.
The Commission recommends the following two additional candidates to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham:
The names of the applicants in alphabetical order:
John Bernitz
Levon Henry
Judicial Nominating Commission Announcement of Vacancy Fifth Judicial District Court – Lovington, NM
March 24, 2023
A vacancy on the Fifth Judicial District Court in Lovington, NM will exist as of May 2, 2023 due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge William Shoobridge, effective May 1, 2023. Inquiries regarding the details or assignment of this judicial vacancy should be directed to the Administrator of the Court. Applicants seeking information regarding election or retention if appointed should contact the Bureau of Elections in the Office of the Secretary of State.
Camille Carey, Chair of the Fifth Judicial Nominating Commission, solicits applications for this position from lawyers who meet the statutory qualifications in Article VI, Section 8 of the New Mexico Constitution. Applications may be obtained from the Judicial Selection website, or emailed to you by contacting the Judicial Selection Office at akin@law.unm.edu. The deadline for applications has been set for Monday, April 17, 2023 by 5:00 pm . Applications received after that date and time will not be considered.
The Fifth Judicial District Court Nominating Commission will meet beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 8, 2023, to interview applicants for the position at the Lea County District Court located at 100 N. Love St., Lovington, NM 88260, to evaluate the applicants for this position. The Commission meeting is open to the public, and members of the public who wish to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to be heard.
Third Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission Candidate Announcement
January 24, 2023
The Third Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission convened on Monday, January 23, 2023, to interview applicants for the position in the Third Judicial District Court, located at 201 W. Picacho Ave, Las Cruces, New Mexico, due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Mary W. Rosner, effective December 31, 2022.
The Commission recommends the following candidate to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham:
The names of the applicants in alphabetical order:
Silvia Delgado
Rebecca Duffin
Isabel Jerabek
Jeanne Quintero
Mark Standridge
Third Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission Announcement of Applicants
January 23, 2023
Severn (7) applications have been received in the Judicial Selection Office as of 5:00 p.m., Thursdays, January 12, 2023, for the vacancy on the on the Third Judicial District, due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Mary W. Rosner, effective December 31, 2022.
The Third Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission will meet beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January 23, 2023, to interview applicants for the position at the Third Judicial District Court, located at 201 W. Picacho Ave, Las Cruces, New Mexico, to evaluate the applicants for this position.
The Commission meeting is open to the public, and anyone who wishes to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to be heard. The names of the applicants in alphabetical order:
Silvia Delgado
Rebecca Duffin
Isabel Jerabek
Ramona Martinez
Yvonne Quintana
Jeanne Quintero
Mark Standridge
Third Judicial District Court Announcement of Vacancy
December 21, 2022
A vacancy on the Third Judicial District Court will exist as of January 1, 2023, due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Mary W. Rosner, December 31, 2022. Inquiries regarding the details or assignment of this judicial vacancy should be directed to the Administrator of the Court. Applicants seeking information regarding election or retention if appointed should contact the Bureau of Elections in the Office of the Secretary of State.
Camille Carey, Chair of the Third Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission, invites applications for this position from lawyers who meet the statutory qualifications in Article VI, Section 28 of the New Mexico Constitution. Applications may be obtained from the Judicial Selection website, or emailed to you by contacting the Judicial Selection Office at akin@law.unm.edu. The deadline for applications has been set for Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 5:00 pm. Applications received after that time will not be considered.
The Third Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission will meet beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January 23, 2023, to interview applicants for the position at the Third Judicial District Court, located at 201 W. Picacho Ave, Las Cruces, New Mexico, to evaluate the applicants for this position. The Committee meeting is open to the public and members of the public who wish to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to be heard.
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judicial Nominating Commission Candidate Announcement
October 12, 2022
The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judicial Nominating Commission convened on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at the New Mexico State Bar located at 5121 Masthead Street N.E., Albuquerque, New Mexico, in their conference and completed its evaluation of the six candidates for the one vacancy on the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Sandra Engel effective September 30, 2022.
The Commission recommends the following candidate to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham:
Shonnetta Estrada
Ignacio V. Gallegos
Daniel Roberson
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judicial Nominating Commission Announcement of Applicants
September 22, 2022
Seven applications have been received in the Judicial Selection Office as of 5:00 p.m., Thursday, September 22, 2022, for the vacancy on the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court which will exist as of October 1, 2022, due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Sandra Engel effective September 30, 2022.
The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judicial Nominating Commission will meet beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, to interview applicants for the position at the New Mexico State Bar located at 5121 Masthead Street N.E., Albuquerque, New Mexico, in their conference rooms, with no mask or social distancing requirement. Of course, any individual may elect to wear a mask, to evaluate the applicants for this position.
The names of the applicants in alphabetical order:
Steven Diamond
Shonnetta Estrada
Ignacio V. Gallegos
Edmund Perea
Daniel Roberson
Carlos Scarborough
George Yu
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Announcement of Vacancy
August 29, 2022
A vacancy on the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court (Criminal) will exist as of October 1, 2022, due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Sandra Engle effective September 30, 2022. Inquiries regarding the details or assignment of this judicial vacancy should be directed to the Administrator of the Court. Applicants seeking information regarding election or retention if appointed should contact the Bureau of Elections in the Office of the Secretary of State.
Camille Carey, Chair of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judicial Nominating Commission, invites applications for this position from lawyers who meet the statutory qualifications in Article VI, Section 28 of the New Mexico Constitution. Applications may be obtained from the Judicial Selection website, or emailed to you by contacting the Judicial Selection Office at akin@law.unm.edu. The deadline for applications has been set for Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 5:00 pm. Applications received after that time will not be considered.
The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judicial Nominating Commission will meet beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, to interview applicants for the position at the New Mexico State Bar located at 5121 Masthead Street N.E., Albuquerque, New Mexico, in their conference rooms, with no mask or social distancing requirement. Of course, any individual may elect to wear a mask, to evaluate the applicants for this position.
The Committee meeting is open to the public and members of the public who wish to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to be heard.
Second Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission Candidate Announcement
August 23, 2022
The Second Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission convened on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at the New Mexico State Bar located at 5121 Masthead Street N.E. and completed its evaluation of the two candidates for the vacancy on the Second Judicial District Court, due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Alisa A. Hart.
The Commission recommends the following candidate to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham:
Penny Elizabeth Gilbert
Emeterio L. Rudolfo
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judicial Nominating Commission Candidate Announcement
August 22, 2022
The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judicial Nominating Commission convened on
Friday, August 19, 2022, at the Bernalillo Metropolitan Courthouse, located at 401 Lomas NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico and completed its evaluation of the ten candidates for the one vacancy on the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court due to the appointment of the Honorable Judge David Murphy to the Second Judicial District Court, effective July 22, 2022.
The Commission recommends the following candidate to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham:
Shonnetta Estrada
Michael Philip Fricke
Claire Ann McDaniel
Daniel Roberson
REVISED RECONVENE Fifth Judicial District Court Announcement of Additional Applicants
August 16, 2022
In response to Governor Lujan-Grisham request on August 1, 2022 for additional names to fill the vacancy on the Fifth Judicial District which exists in Carlsbad, New Mexico, due to the creation of an additional judgeship by the Legislature effective July 1, 2022, the Dean of the UNM School of Law, designated by the New Mexico Constitution to Chair the Fifth Judicial District Nominating Commission and members of this commission, solicited for additional applications for this position from lawyers who meet the statutory qualifications in Article VI, Section 14 of the New Mexico Constitution. The deadline for additional application was at 5:00 pm on Friday, August 12, 2022.
As of 5:00 pm on Friday, August 12, 2022, no additional applicants applied for the additional judgeship created by the Legislature effective July 1, 2022.
Second Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission Announcement of Applicants
August 10, 2022
Four (4) applications have been received in the Judicial Selection Office as of 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 9, 2022, for the vacancy on the on the Second Judicial District Court as of August 1, 2022, due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Alisa A. Hart.
The Second Judicial District Court Nominating Commission will meet beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, to interview applicants for the position at the New Mexico State Bar located at 5121 Masthead Street N.E., in their conference rooms, with no mask or social distancing requirement, of course, any individual may elect to wear a mask.
The Commission meeting is open to the public, and anyone who wishes to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to be heard.
The names of the applicants in alphabetical order:
Michael Philip Fricke
Penny Elizabeth Gilbert
Mark Anthony Ramsey
Emeterio L. Rudolfo
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judicial Nominating Commission Announcement of Applicants
Eleven (11) applications have been received in the Judicial Selection Office as of 5:00 p.m., Friday, August 5, 2022, for the vacancy on the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court which will exist as of July 23, 2022, due to the appointment of the Honorable Judge David Murphy to the Second Judicial District Court, effective July 22, 2022.
The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Nominating Commission will meet beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, August 19, 2022, to interview applicants for the position at the Bernalillo Metropolitan Courthouse, located at 401 Lomas NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Commission meeting is open to the public, and anyone who wishes to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to be heard. T
he names of the applicants in alphabetical order:
Steven Gary Diamond
Shonnetta Raquette Estrada
Michael Philip Fricke
Veronica Hill
Claire Ann McDaniel
Todd A. Olmos
Edmund E. Perea
Mark Anthony Ramsey
Ashley Reymore-Cloud
Daniel Roberson
Carlos Scarborough
All attendees of the meeting of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judicial Nominating Commission will be required to wear a face mask at all times while at the meeting regardless of their vaccination status.
Fifth Judicial District Court Announcement of Consideration of Additional Applications
August 4, 2022
The Fifth Judicial District Judicial Nominating Commission met on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, and submitted one name to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for consideration to fill the vacancy in the Fifth Judicial District Court that existed as of July 1, 2022, due to the creation of an additional judgeship by the Legislature.
Pursuant to her authority to do so, Governor Lujan Grisham has requested that the commission consider submitting additional names to her for consideration. Accordingly, Dean Camille Carey of the UNM School of Law, designated by the New Mexico Constitution to Chair the Fifth Judicial District Nominating Commission, is soliciting additional applications for this position from lawyers who meet the statutory qualifications.
Applications, as well as information related to qualifications for the position, may be obtained from the Judicial Selection website, or emailed to you by contacting Beverly Akin at the Judicial Selection Office . The deadline for applications has been set for Friday, August 12, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Applications received after that date will not be considered.
Applications received by the initial deadline of Tuesday, June 14, 2022, remain viable and open for consideration by the commission. Applicants who appeared before the commission on July 19, 2022, including the one applicant whose name was submitted to Governor Lujan Grisham, do not need to reapply or reappear before the commission.
Applicants seeking information regarding election or retention if appointed should contact the Bureau of Elections in the Office of the Secretary of State.
The date and time of the reconvening of the Fifth Judicial District Judicial Nominating Commission will be Thursday, August 25, 2022, beginning at 9:30 a.m., at the Fifth Judicial District Court Eddy County, 102 N Canal St, Carlsbad, NM 88220, and additional interviews will be conducted then. The Committee meeting is open to the public, and members of the public who wish to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to speak at that time.
Consistent with the governor’s recent mask mandate, all attendees of the meeting of the Fifth Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission will be required to wear a face mask at all times while at the meeting regardless of their vaccination status.
Second Judicial District Court Announcement of Vacancy
July 21, 2022
A vacancy on the Second Judicial District Court will exist in exist as of August 1, 2022, due to the retirement of the Honorable Jude Alisa A. Hart. Inquiries regarding the details or assignment of this judicial vacancy should be directed to the Administrator of the Court. Applicants seeking information regarding election or retention if appointed should contact the Bureau of Elections in the Office of the Secretary of State.
Camille Carey, Chair of the Second Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission, invites applications for this position from lawyers who meet the statutory qualifications in Article VI, Section 28 of the New Mexico Constitution. Applications may be obtained from the Judicial Selection website, or emailed to you by contacting the Judicial Selection Office at akin@law.unm.edu. The deadline for applications has been set for Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Applications received after that time will not be considered.
The Second Judicial District Court Nominating Commission will meet beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, to interview applicants for the position at the New Mexico State Bar located at 5121 Masthead Street N.E., in their conference rooms, with no mask or social distancing requirement. Of course, any individual may elect to wear a mask., to evaluate the applicants for this position.
The Committee meeting is open to the public and members of the public who wish to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to be heard.
Fifth Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission Candidate Announcement
July 20, 2022
The Fifth Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission convened on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at the Fifth Judicial District Court Eddy County, located at 102 N Canal St, Carlsbad, NM 88220, and completed its evaluation of the two candidates for the one vacancy on the Fifth Judicial Court due to the creation of an additional Judgeship by the Legislature.
The Commission recommends the following candidate to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham:
AnneMarie Cheroke Lewis
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Announcement of Vacancy
July 13, 2022
A vacancy on the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court will exist as of July 23, 2022, due to the appointment of the Honorable Judge David Murphy to the Second Judicial District Court, effective July 22, 2022. Inquiries regarding the details or assignment of this judicial vacancy should be directed to the Administrator of the Court. Applicants seeking information regarding election or retention if appointed should contact the Bureau of Elections in the Office of the Secretary of State.
Camille Carey, Chair of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judicial Nominating Commission, invites applications for this position from lawyers who meet the statutory qualifications in Article VI, Section 28 of the New Mexico Constitution. Applications may be obtained from the Judicial Selection website, or emailed to you by contacting the Judicial Selection Office at akin@law.unm.edu. The deadline for applications has been set for Friday, August 5, 2022 at 5:00 pm. Applications received after that time will not be considered.
The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Nominating Commission will meet beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, August 19, 2022, to interview applicants for the position at the Bernalillo Metropolitan Courthouse, located at 401 Lomas NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Commission meeting is open to the public, and anyone who wishes to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to be heard.
All attendees of the meeting of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judicial Nominating Commission will be required to wear a face mask at all times while at the meeting regardless of their vaccination status
Fifth Judicial District Court – Carlsbad, NM
Announcement of Applicants
June 14, 2022
Four (4) applications have been received in the Judicial Selection Office as of 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 14, 2022, for the vacancy on the Fifth Judicial District Court which will exist as of July 1, 2022, due to the creation of an additional Judgeship by the Legislature.
The Fifth Judicial District Court Nominating Commission will convene beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at the Fifth Judicial District Court Eddy County, 102 N Canal St, Carlsbad, NM 88220, to interview the applicants for this position.
The names of the applicants in alphabetical order:
AnneMarie Cheroke Lewis Alan
Daniel Ostrovsky
D’Ann Read
Hessel Edward Yntema IV
All attendees of the meeting of the Fifth Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission will be required to wear a face mask at all times while at the meeting regardless of their vaccination status.
All attendees of the meeting of the Second Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission will be required to wear a face mask at all times while at the meeting regardless of their vaccination status.
RECONVENED Third Judicial District Nominating Commission
February 25, 2022
The Third Judicial District Nominating Commission reconvened Thursday, February 24, 2022, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in accordance with the Governor’s request that the Commission submit additional names to her.
The Commission interviewed three additional applicants at its February 24, 2022, meeting and completed a full evaluation of those additional applicants. As a result, the Commission has recommended two additional applicants.
The Nominating Commission recommends, the following applicants:
Mickey I. R. Gutierrez
Jessica Leigh Streeter
