---
title: "Kathleen McGarry Ellenwood | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kathleen-mcgarry-ellenwood-district-court-judge-first-judicial-district-court-nm"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Kathleen McGarry Ellenwood

First Judicial District Court · District Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: First Judicial District Court
- State: New Mexico
- Role: District Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Private attorney, then First District attorney associate from 2018
- It details prior district-court staff-attorney work beginning in 2018, contract habeas representation for New Mexico’s public defender beginning in 2001, and earlier appellate supervision in the Ohio Public Defender’s Death Penalty Division
- Judge of the 1st Judicial District Court of New Mexico, serving in Division X (Civil, Abuse, Neglect, Habeas Corpus) in Santa Fe County

### Education

- It records a 1978 B.A. from Connecticut College and a 1987 J.D. from Ohio State University, admission in Ohio and New Mexico, upbringing in Cleveland, and relocation to New Mexico in 2000.

### Additional information

- 2026 Retention Election: Ellenwood is on the ballot for re‐election to Division X on November 3, 2026
- This is a nonpartisan retention vote; voters will decide whether she continues serving
- Kathleen McGarry Ellenwood serves in Division X of New Mexico’s First Judicial District Court.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media electronic device coverage

Scope: 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.

Evidence excerpt: 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](https://nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rule-23-107-12-20-2018.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote proceedings conduct

Scope: statewide

New Mexico Judiciary remote-proceedings standards treat virtual courtrooms as formal courtroom settings and impose conduct expectations for remote participants.

Evidence excerpt: 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](https://firstdistrict.nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2024/04/NEW-MEXICO-JUDICIARY-REMOTE-PROCEEDINGS-AND-MEETING-STANDARDS.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://firstdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges)
- [Official roster](https://firstdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges)
- [New Mexico Courts official judicial roster](https://firstdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges)
- [Rule 23-107. Broadcasting, televising, photographing and recording of court proceedings](https://nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rule-23-107-12-20-2018.pdf)
- [New Mexico Judiciary Remote Proceedings and Meeting Standards](https://firstdistrict.nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2024/04/NEW-MEXICO-JUDICIARY-REMOTE-PROCEEDINGS-AND-MEETING-STANDARDS.pdf)
- [www.governor.state.nm.us](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/07/02/gov-lujan-grisham-makes-four-judicial-appointments/)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [New Mexico Rule 23-107 — media coverage](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-16ed52dd2958e6571bf2469d) — 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](https://nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rule-23-107-12-20-2018.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.