Press Release on Endorsement of Judge Hadfield

NM Hispanic Bar Association Endorses
Judge Alisa Hadfield for District Court Judge

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—The New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association endorsed the judicial candidacy of Alisa Hadfield for District Court Judge on May 17, 2012. 

Judge Hadfield is running to keep her seat as a Family Court/Domestic Violence District Judge in Division 21 of the 2^nd Judicial District for Bernalillo County. Under New Mexico Law, judges must run in one opposed election following their appointment, after which they stand for retention elections. 

Judge Hadfield was appointed to the Family Court/Domestic Violence bench by Governor Richardson in 2010 after being recommended by the non-partisan Judicial Nominating Commission.  From 2004 to 2010 she served as a Domestic Violence Special Commissioner, and is the former Director of the Family Assessment Intervention Resources (“FAIR”) Program, a collaboration with the Courts and University of New Mexico Psychology Department that assisted families experiencing domestic violence.  From 1996 to 2004, Judge Hadfield was in private practice where she specialized in family law.  She also served as a prosecutor and a public defender.  Judge Hadfield is a graduate of the Hofstra University Law School. 

“I am honored to be endorsed by the New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association,” said Judge Hadfield, adding “For the past twenty years I have been working with families facing many significant challenges including divorce and domestic violence.  Promoting safety and the best interest of children is critical. This is my passion and I’m honored to serve my community in this capacity.” 

The NM Hispanic Bar Association is the state-wide association for Hispanic attorneys, and is currently composed of approximately 300 members.  The Association’s mission is to promote the education and development of Hispanic legal professionals, and it currently works to fulfill this mission through judicial endorsements, community mentorship programs, and continuing legal education programs. For more information on the NM Hispanic Bar Association and its initiatives, visit http://nmhba.blogspot.com.

NMHBA Endorses 5 More Judicial Candidates

On May 17, 2012, the NMHBA Board voted to endorse the judicial candidacies of Judge Henry Alaniz (for Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court), Judge Alisa Hadfield (for District Court Judge, Bernalillo County, Division XXI), Judge Benjamin Chavez (for District Court Judge, Bernalillo County, Division IXX), Judge Briana Zamora (for District Court Judge, Bernalillo County, Division VI), and LaDonna Giron (for District Court Judge, Valencia, Cibola and Sandoval Counties, District I).  Congratulations to Ms. Giron and Judges Alaniz, Hadfield, Chavez and Briana Zamora on receiving the NMHBA's judicial endorsements.  We are honored to support your candidacies.

Please check back soon for press releases on these endorsements.

Press Release on Endorsement of Helen Lopez

NM Hispanic Bar Association Endorses
Helen Laura Lopez for District Court Judge

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—The New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association endorsed the judicial candidacy of Helen Laura Lopez for District Court Judge in a special meeting held on May 3, 2012. 

Ms. Lopez is running for District Judge in Division III of the 8th Judicial District, covering Taos, Colfax and Union Counties. “The NMHBA is honored to endorse Ms. Lopez – a past founder of the Association - for District Judge in the 8^th Judicial District,” said Rebecca Avitia, President of the NM Hispanic Bar Association, adding “Ms. Lopez will serve the District with distinction.” 

A long-time resident of Taos County, Ms. Lopez is exceptionally well qualified to serve as a District Judge given her broad experience.  A graduate of the prestigious University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Ms. Lopez was the 7th Hispanic woman to be licensed in New Mexico and has since mentored many women and Hispanic lawyers who have followed in her footsteps. Practicing in the State's District Courts, the NM Court of Appeals, the NM Supreme Court, the United States District Court and Court of Appeals, Ms. Lopez has also frequently, and successfully, represented clients who otherwise would not have had the benefit of counsel. 

“Helen was opposing counsel at my first trial,” recalled NM Hispanic Bar Association Board member Yolanda Gallegos.  “Twenty five years later, she remains the most courteous, civil, and dignified opposing counsel I have ever faced.  I cannot think of anyone more suited in character and demeanor to sit on the bench,” she noted.

The NM Hispanic Bar Association is the state-wide association for Hispanic attorneys, and is currently composed of around 300 members.  The Association’s mission is to promote the education and development of Hispanic legal professionals, and it currently works to fulfill this mission through judicial endorsements, community mentorship programs, and continuing legal education programs. For more information on the NM Hispanic Bar Association and its initiatives, visit http://nmhba.blogspot.com.

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Press Release on Endorsement of Tina Cruz

NM Hispanic Bar Association Endorses
Ernestina R. Cruz for District Court Judge

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—The New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association endorsed the judicial candidacy of Ernestina R. Cruz for District Court Judge, Division II, in a special meeting held on May 3, 2012. 

Ms. Cruz’s endorsement was made after review of her experience and commitment to the Hispanic community, as reflected in the extensive endorsement materials she submitted to the Association; her interview with the Association’s Endorsement Sub-Committee; and a lengthy discussion among the Association’s Board of Directors. 

“The NMHBA truly is pleased to endorse Ms. Cruz for District Court Judge,” said Rebecca Avitia, President of the NM Hispanic Bar Association, adding “Her experience in the law and the community make clear that Ms. Cruz will be an excellent and fair judge, and we look forward to seeing the contributions she will make to the judiciary.”

Ms. Cruz was raised and educated in the Eighth Judicial District and wants to give back to the community that gave so much to her in the early years of her life through serving as District Court Judge.  Regarded in the legal community as being hard working, balanced, and fair, Ms. Cruz stands out among others for her commitment and dedication to the community as shown through her many years of service on various boards at the state and national level. 

The endorsement of Ms. Cruz on May 3, 2012, was one of the first judicial endorsements given by the NM Hispanic Bar Association in over ten years.  “Throughout her years of practice as an attorney, Ms. Cruz has exemplified the values of the Hispanic Bar Association, giving tirelessly to the Hispanic community both professionally and personally.  It is difficult to imagine a person more qualified or deserving of being a judge in this great State, especially one who is sure to serve her home community in Taos with dignity and integrity,” said NM Hispanic Bar Association Board member David Urias.

The NM Hispanic Bar Association is the state-wide association for Hispanic attorneys, and is currently composed of around 300 members.  The Association’s mission is to promote the education and development of Hispanic legal professionals, and it currently works to fulfill this mission through judicial endorsements, community mentorship programs, and continuing legal education programs. For more information on the NM Hispanic Bar Association and its initiatives, visit http://nmhba.blogspot.com.

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Annual Meeting Announcement & Call for Board Nominations

The New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association (NMHBA) hereby announces that its 2012 Annual Meeting and Election of Directors will be held on Friday, July 13, 2012, at 2:30pm at the Tamaya Resort and Spa on 1300 Tuyuna Trail in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico 87004. The NMHBA is now accepting nominations for twelve (12) positions on its Board of Directors.

Nominees must be members in good standing of the NMHBA and have a commitment to the mission of the NMHBA.  

To make a nomination, simply:

·        Fill out the nomination form linked here;

·        (Optional) Include a short bio of the nominee (250 words or less); and

·        Send the nomination form to the NMHBA Elections Committee.

Nominations must be received by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, June 20, 2012.  Nominations may be mailed, emailed or faxed as follows:

By mail:                                    NMHBA Board Nominations

                                                c/o State Bar of New Mexico

                                                P.O. Box 92860

Albuquerque, NM 87110

By fax:                                      Attn: NMHBA Board Nominations

(505) 828-3765

By email:                                  Damian.Lara@gmail.com

                                                Subject: NMHBA Board Nominations

Upon closing of nominations on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, ballots will be prepared with nominated candidates for the twelve (12) Board of Directors positions.  Ballots and bios of the candidates will then be distributed to members for voting on Monday, June 25, 2012.  Ballots must be returned to the NMHBA Elections Committee c/o Damian R. Lara.  If mailed, ballots must be postmarked by Monday, July 9, 2012.  If emailed or faxed, ballots must be received by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, July 11, 2012.  Hand-delivered ballots may also be delivered at the Annual Meeting on Friday, July 13, 2012, at 2:30pm at the Tamaya Resort and Spa on 1300 Tuyuna Trail in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico 87004.

May Board Meeting

The NMHBA's next Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 17th, at 5:30pm at the State Bar Center.  For call-in information, please contact NMHBA Secretary Carlos Pacheco.

NMHBA Endorses Tina Cruz and Helen Lopez

On May 3, 2012, the NMHBA Board voted in a Special Meeting to endorse the judicial candidacies of Ernestina (Tina) Cruz and Helen Laura Lopez in their respective races in the Eighth Judicial District (Taos, Colfax and Union Counties).  Congratulations to Ms. Cruz and Ms. Lopez on receiving the NMHBA's first two judicial endorsements this year.  We are honored to support your candidacies, particularly as you both have supported and bettered our organization and the Hispanic community for so many years.

Please check back soon for press releases on these endorsements. 

Accepting Judicial Endorsement Requests

The NMHBA is now accepting judicial endorsement requests. To receive our endorsement policies and procedures and/or to request an NMHBA judicial endorsement, contact our Endorsement Sub-Committee Chairs Arnold Padilla and Damian Lara. Due to the upcoming elections, candidates are encouraged to let us know of your interest as soon as possible.

May Special Meeting

The NMHBA Board of Directors will be holding a Special Meeting on May 3, 2012, at 5:30pm at the State Bar Center, to discuss the requests for endorsement submitted by Ernestina Cruz, Judge Sarah Backus and Helen Laura Lopez.  For further information on this Meeting, please contact NMHBA President Rebecca Avitia.