Julie J. Vargas at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Justice
- Jurisdiction
- New Mexico · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Julie J. Vargas
Chief Justice · New Mexico Supreme Court
Biography
Professional career
- Vargas has held the role of a justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court since January 25, 2021, after four years on the New Mexico Court of Appeals.
- She became Chief Justice on April 8, 2026, for a two‐year term, with duties including presiding over the court
- The Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court, appointed in December 2020 and sworn in as chief on April 8, 2026, succeeding David K. Thomson
- Julie J. Vargas is identified by the New Mexico Supreme Court as its chief justice
Education
- University of New Mexico J.D. in 1993, and there she edited the New Mexico Law Review.
Additional information
- Appointed to the Supreme Court in December 2020 after four years on the Court of Appeals, and there she co-chaired the Advisory Committee on the Code of Judicial Conduct.
- She graduated from Brown University in 1990 with a degree in history and English literature
- overseeing its administration, budget, and operations, and representing the judiciary before the state Legislature
- Before joining the judiciary, she spent 23 years in private practice handling business and real-estate litigation.
- Her bar service included co-chairing the Ethics Advisory Committee and serving on the Disciplinary Board and Board of Bar Commissioners.
- Vargas has chaired judicial committees on alternative lawyer licensing processes and ethical/professional conduct issues.
- Her community work includes service with the Museum of Natural History Foundation and fundraising for Special Olympics.
- Birth place: Old Town Albuquerque
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Media Electronic Device Coverage
Statewide
New Mexico Rule 23-107 authorizes broadcasting, televising, photographing, and recording in state court proceedings subject to the rule's guidelines and judicial control.
The broadcasting, televising, photographing, and recording of court proceedings in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, district courts, magistrate courts, and metropolitan courts of the State of New Mexico are hereby authorized in accordance with the guidelines promulgated herewith.Rule 23-107. Broadcasting, televising, photographing and recording of court proceedings ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
New Mexico Judiciary remote-proceedings standards treat virtual courtrooms as formal courtroom settings and impose conduct expectations for remote participants.
The courtroom, whether a physical in-person courtroom, or a virtual courtroom, remains a formal and serious setting where judges hear matters involving real people that affect real lives.New Mexico Judiciary Remote Proceedings and Meeting Standards ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
New Mexico Rule 23-107 — media coverage
New Mexico Supreme Court
2018 dated rule; not extended to Municipal Courts. Media coverage exceptions and judicial control apply. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
New Mexico Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View New Mexico Courts official judicial roster ↗Rule 23-107. Broadcasting, televising, photographing and recording of court proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Rule 23-107. Broadcasting, televising, photographing and recording of court proceedings ↗New Mexico Judiciary Remote Proceedings and Meeting Standards
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View New Mexico Judiciary Remote Proceedings and Meeting Standards ↗Wikidata: Julie J. Vargas
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View Wikidata: Julie J. Vargas ↗supremecourt.nmcourts.gov
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 4, 2026
View supremecourt.nmcourts.gov ↗