Judge Gerald Edward Baca

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday appointed Chief District Court Judge Gerald Edward Baca of the Fourth Judicial District Court to the New Mexico Court of Appeals.

“Judge Baca has extensive experience on all sides of criminal and civil litigation as well as a diverse and rigorous background on the bench,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “Our state Court of Appeals will greatly benefit from his decades of judicious and exemplary practice as an attorney and jurist.”

The appointment of Judge Baca fills a Court of Appeals vacancy created by the December appointment of Justice Julie J. Vargas to the New Mexico Supreme Court.

Originally from Las Vegas, N.M., Baca has served on the bench of the Fourth Judicial District Court since 2013. Prior to that, Baca both led a private practice and practiced as part of the Office of Fourth Judicial District Attorney across a distinguished decades-long legal career. A cum laude graduate of New Mexico Highlands University, Baca earned his law degree from the University of New Mexico in 1987 and was admitted to the New Mexico Bar the same year.
Baca was recommended by the New Mexico Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Commission.