Appellate court judge to fill New Mexico high court vacancy

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State Court of Appeals Judge Briana Zamora has been named to the New Mexico Supreme Court.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office announced the appointment Friday.

Zamora fills the seat left vacant by the retirement of Justice Barbara Vigil.

The governor selected Zamora from a list of candidates provided by a nominating commission.

Before joining the appellate court, the 47-year-old Zamora served as a judge in New Mexico’s busiest judicial district in Albuquerque.

She has presided over thousands of criminal cases and specialty courts during her time on the bench.

She also worked as assistant state attorney general and assistant district attorney.