SANTA FE – Judge Jacqueline R. Medina is the new Chief Judge of the New Mexico Court of Appeals.
She is serving a two-year term, and succeeded Judge Jennifer L. Attrep, who held the position since 2023. The chief judge is the administrative authority over the 10-member court's budget, personnel and general operations, and continues to hear cases.
"It is a great honor and privilege to lead the Court of Appeals and work with its dedicated judges and staff for the people of New Mexico," said Chief Judge Medina.
Chief Judge Medina is the first native of Taos to serve on the Court of Appeals. She was elected to the court in 2018, and before that served for more than 16 years as an assistant attorney general. She was an assistant district attorney and Children's Court attorney early in her legal career.
Chief Judge Medina received her juris doctor (J.D.) from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1991, and earned an undergraduate degree in political science at UNM.
The Court of Appeals is the first and often final appellate court for most case types. The court has mandatory jurisdiction in all civil, non-capital and juvenile cases appealed from trial courts and discretionary jurisdiction over most appeals from administrative agencies. The court acts in three-judge panels and at least two judges must agree to decide a case.
During the 2024 fiscal year, the Court of Appeals resolved more than 800 cases, including issuing 526 opinions.
