SANTA FE – The New Mexico Supreme Court honored retired Justice H. Vern Payne with a published commemorative compilation of opinions he wrote while serving on the Supreme Court from 1977 to 1983.
“We are honored to present Justice H. Vern Payne with his commemorative volume of opinions,” said Chief Justice David K. Thomson. “This volume illustrates his major contribution to the rule of law in New Mexico on the state’s highest court.”
Senior Justice Michael E. Vigil presented the volume to Justice Payne during a ceremony on January 29th at the Valencia County Courthouse in Los Lunas, NM.
“Justice Payne is an inspiration to all of us,” said Senior Justice Michael E. Vigil. “During his long and distinguished career, Justice Payne has served on state courts and is still representing clients in many areas of law.”
Justice Payne gave his law clerks credit for their role in helping to draft the opinions, and said he wanted them think of themselves as the author. He also said he wanted to know about his mistakes. “I told them if I have gone off on the wrong trail, I want you to correct it and red mark it,” said Justice Payne. “The only thing that will make me angry is if you work on a case and see an error or problem, and don’t tell me. Then it will make me angry. And they all honored that.”
Justice Payne is from Lordsburg, New Mexico, and received his law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1964.
Justice Payne served as judge at the Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque from 1971 to 1976, and began his term on the New Mexico Supreme Court on January 1, 1977. His father, U.S. District Court Judge H. Verle Payne, swore in Justice Payne. Justice Payne became Chief Justice in January 1983 and served in the position until his retirement in December 1983. During his tenure on the court, Justice Payne held the Roberts seat.
Justice Payne becomes the fourth justice to receive a commemorative volume of opinions. Justices Edward L. Chavez, Richard E. Ransom, and Tony Scarborough are also honorees.
