R. David Pederson at a glance
- Current role
- District Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New Mexico · State
- Judicial service
- Active
R. David Pederson
District Court Judge · Eleventh Judicial District Court
Biography
Professional career
- In May 2024, he was elected Chief Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District, succeeding Judge Curtis Gurley
- ’s overview describes R. David Pederson as an Eleventh Judicial District judge appointed in April 2020 and selected as chief judge in 2024
- The Chief Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District Court in New Mexico, serving McKinley and San Juan counties, and presiding over cases in Gallup and other locations
- Earlier work included Schuelke, Wolf & Rich, First Interstate Bank of Gallup, private practice, McKinley County prosecution, Gallup city attorney and acting city manager, county counsel, and general counsel to Attorney General Gary King
Education
- UNM School of Law — J.D. (1978)
- It gives University of New Mexico degrees — B.A. (1975)
Additional information
- Joined the 11th Judicial District Court by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 24, 2020.
- More recent prosecution included the Thirteenth District from 2015–2017 and McKinley County chief deputy from 2017.
- He also served in the New Mexico House of Representatives from 1993 to 2000, chairing the House Judiciary and Rules Committees
- As Chief Judge, he oversees both judicial and administrative functions, including fiscal, personnel, and policy matters, and represents the judiciary before the New Mexico Legislature
- He is admitted to the New Mexico Bar and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico.
- He is a member of the Zuni Pueblo Tribal Bar, American Bar Association, International Municipal Lawyers Association, and McKinley County Bar Association
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
Eleventh Judicial District 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 July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
New Mexico Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 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 ↗