Julie J. Vargas

Julie Vargas
Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court
Assumed office
January 25, 2021
Appointed byMichelle Lujan Grisham
Preceded byJudith Nakamura
Personal details
Born1968 or 1969 (age 55–56)
Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
EducationBrown University (BA)
University of New Mexico (JD)

Julie J. Vargas (born 1968 or 1969)[1] is an American attorney and jurist serving as a justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court since 2021. She is a former judge of the New Mexico Court of Appeals.

Early life and education

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Vargas was born and raised in Old Town Albuquerque.[2] She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and English literature from Brown University and her Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law.[3][4]

Career

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Vargas worked in private practice, serving more than 20 years at the Albuquerque law firm Hunt & Davis.[4] Since 2018 she has been an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law.[5]

Judicial career

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New Mexico Court of Appeals

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Vargas was one of three candidates sent to Governor Susana Martinez to fill the vacancy left by Cynthia Frye who retired in December 2015.[1] Vargas was elected to the New Mexico Court of Appeals in 2016.[4]

New Mexico Supreme Court

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On December 19, 2020, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced her appointment of Vargas to be a justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by Justice Judith Nakamura who retired on December 1, 2020.[6][4] She was sworn into office on January 25, 2021.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Nott, Robert (2016-01-27). "Panel sends governor three nominees for vacant appeals court seat". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  2. ^ Reisen, Matthew (2020-12-19). "Gov. appoints appellate Judge Julie Vargas to Supreme Court". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  3. ^ "Governor appoints UNM alumna to highest court in New Mexico". UNM Newsroom. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  4. ^ a b c d "Gov. Lujan Grisham fills Supreme Court vacancy" Office of the Governor, December 19, 2020 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ "Governor nominates Court of Appeals Judge Julie J. Vargas to fill Supreme Court vacancy". KOB 4. 2020-12-19. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  6. ^ Seeley, Luke (25 January 2021). "Governor's appointment shifts New Mexico Supreme Court partisan balance – Ballotpedia News". Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  7. ^ Laird, Evann (January 25, 2021). "Supreme Court Justice Julie J. Vargas Takes the Oath of Office" (Press release). State Bar of New Mexico. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
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Legal offices
Preceded by Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court
2021–present
Incumbent