SANTA FE –New Mexico Supreme Court Justices Michael E. Vigil, Julie J. Vargas and Briana H. Zamora took the oath of office on December 14, 2022 during a private ceremony in the Supreme Court courtroom.
Senior Justice Vigil begins a new eight-year term on January 1, 2023 after being selected for retention in the November election.
Justices Vargas and Zamora were elected in November and are serving out unexpired terms ending in 2028 and 2024, respectively. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Justice Vargas to a vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Judith Nakamura in January, 2021. The governor appointed Justice Zamora after Justice Barbara Vigil retired in June, 2021.
“I am humbled to have the opportunity to continue to work with exceptional jurists,” said Senior Justice Michael E. Vigil.
“Being able to administer the rule of law is an honor and a privilege I take seriously,” said Justice Julie J. Vargas.
Justice Briana H. Zamora said, “Serving New Mexicans as a jurist is the most rewarding job I’ve had, and I look forward to the challenges ahead.”
Justice Vigil joined the state’s highest court on Dec. 31, 2018, after serving on the state Court of Appeals since 2003. He served as Chief Justice from July 16, 2020 to April 12, 2022 during the global pandemic.
Justice Vargas served on the state Court of Appeals beginning in 2016 after spending 23 years in private practice. Justice Vargas received her law degree in 1993 from the University of New Mexico.
An Albuquerque native, Justice Zamora graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law and began her judicial career in 2008 and has served as a judge at every court level — magistrate, district, Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Chief Justice C. Shannon Bacon administers the Oath of Office to Senior Justice Michael E. Vigil as Chief Court Clerk Elizabeth Garcia holds the Bible. Senior Justice Vigil’s term is through December, 2030.
Supreme Court Chief Justice C. Shannon Bacon administers the Oath of Office to Justice Julie J. Vargas. Justice Vargas will serve out her term through 2028.
After taking the Oath of Office, Supreme Court Justice Briana H. Zamora gets a congratulatory hug from Chief Justice C. Shannon Bacon. Justice Zamora will serve through 2024.
For more information about the New Mexico Supreme Court, please visit the website at nmcourts.gov.
