Christine Chandler is appointed Los Alamos County Probate Judge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Staff Report
Attorney Christine Chandler is Los Alamos County’s new probate judge.
The Los Alamos County Council selected Chandler this evening from a field of six candidates to fill a vacancy left by Ellen Hong who resigned in June. The vacancy runs through Dec. 31.
Chandler rose to the top of a field of “highly qualified candidates” including Sharon Marinuzzi and Timothy Langworthy who made the finals this evening as well as Yvonne Deshayes, Charles Knoop and Philip Dabney.
In her letter of interest for the position, Chandler explained that the Probate Court has jurisdiction over informal probates and appointments.
“One of the court’s primary responsibilities is to ensure that pleadings filed with the court are complete and in conformance with state law,” she said in the letter. “The judge should be familiar with relevant legal topics such as jurisdiction, venue, pleadings and filing protocols. Although a probate judge is not required to be an attorney, as an attorney, I have the advantage of being able to interpret statutory and case law, without assistance.”
Chandler added that one of the things she is interested in doing is an education outreach program to help make people aware of what the court does and the services it provides.
She is a long time Los Alamos resident with a track record of serving the community. Chandler said that she would like to use her skills to ensure that Los Alamos citizens have a well-run probate court. Her community activities include serving as a member of the Los Alamos Charter Review Committee, 2009 -2011; Board Member, Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation, 2005 – 2009; President, Los Alamos League of Voters, 2007; Co-Chair, Los Alamos County 60 Anniversary Committee, 2009; County Councilor, Los Alamos County, 1997-2000; Chair, Los Alamos County Council, 1999; and is a founding Board Member of Leadership Los Alamos and graduate of its first class.
Chandler graduated from a Boston College Law School in 1984 and from Smith College in 1980 where she majored in economics. She most recently served as a senior attorney in the Litigation Management & Benefits Group at Los Alamos National Security, LLC/Los Alamos National Laboratory. She retired in March and opened Chandler Law of Los Alamos.
Council announces its vote appointing Christine Chandler probate judge as fellow finalists Sharon Marinuzzi and Timothy Langworthy prepare to congratulate her this evening in Council Chambers. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
