New Mexico Chief Justice Nakamura. Courtesy photoSUPREME COURT News:
ALBQUERQUE – Justice Judith K. Nakamura was sworn in Wednesday as Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court.
Justice Nakamura was elected Chief Justice by her colleagues on the court. She succeeds Justice Charles Daniels, who had served as Chief Justice since 2016.
The Chief Justice presides over Supreme Court hearings and conferences, and serves as the administrative authority over personnel, budgetary matters and general operations of all state courts. The Chief Justice also acts as an advocate for the Judiciary on legislation, funding for the courts and other issues.
Justice Nakamura joined the state’s highest court in December 2015, after serving nearly three years as a Second Judicial District Court judge and more than 14 years as a Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court judge. She oversaw day-to-day operations of Metropolitan Court as its chief judge from 2002 until 2013, and was named Judge of the Year in 2004 by the Albuquerque Bar Association.
Justice Nakamura received her Juris Doctor degree in 1989 from the University of New Mexico, and earned an undergraduate degree from UNM. Before her election as a judge, she spent most of her legal career in the private practice of law in Albuquerque. She worked at the State Land Office after law school, serving as an assistant land commissioner and general counsel.
Justice Nakamura is an avid hot air balloon pilot and a volunteer member of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s Board of Directors and the University of New Mexico Alumni Board.
