Martha Vázquez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Senior Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of New Mexico | |
| Assumed office December 31, 2021 | |
| Chief Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of New Mexico | |
| In office 2003–2010 | |
| Preceded by | James Aubrey Parker |
| Succeeded by | Bruce D. Black |
| Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of New Mexico | |
| In office October 1, 1993 – December 31, 2021 | |
| Appointed by | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Santiago E. Campos |
| Succeeded by | David H. Urias |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1953-02-21)February 21, 1953 (age 72)[1] |
| Education | University of Notre Dame (BA,JD) |
Martha Alicia Vázquez (born February 21, 1953) is aseniorUnited States district judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of New Mexico. She is the first woman to be appointed as a federal judge in that state.[citation needed]
Born inSanta Barbara, California, Vázquez is an alumna of theUniversity of Notre Dame, where she received aBachelor of Arts degree in 1975, followed by aJuris Doctor from theNotre Dame Law School in 1978. Following a brief stint with Michigan Migrant Legal Services, she was apublic defender inNew Mexico from 1979 to 1981, and then entered private practice, inSanta Fe, New Mexico, from 1981 until her appointment to the federal bench in 1993.[2]
On August 6, 1993, Vázquez was nominated by PresidentBill Clinton for the judge seat on the District Court vacated bySantiago E. Campos. She was confirmed by theUnited States Senate on September 30, 1993, and received her commission on October 1, 1993. She was sworn in on October 6, 1993.[3] She served as chief judge of the court from 2003 to 2010.[2] She assumedsenior status on December 31, 2021.[2]
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of New Mexico 1993–2021 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chief Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of New Mexico 2003–2010 | Succeeded by |