Fifth Judicial District Court bench

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has appointed Efren Cortez to the Fifth Judicial District Court bench.  

Cortez, 41, has been an attorney with the City of Hobbs since January 2013. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of the Southwest in Hobbs teaching undergraduate criminology and sociology courses. 

Originally from Hobbs, Cortez received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Criminal Justice from Eastern New Mexico University. He graduated from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University in 2012. He is a member of the New Mexico and Texas Bar Associations.

Cortez filled the vacancy after Judge William Shoobridge retired May 1. His appointment will begin Aug. 19, 2023.