Name: Judge Emilio Chavez
Biography: Judge Emilio Jacob Chavez was appointed district judge in July of 2015. The judge's primary responsibilities include presiding over cases in Colfax, Union, and Taos Counties. Prior to assuming the role of judge, Mr. Chavez served the people of Taos, Colfax, and Union Counties, as a deputy district attorney for Eighth Judicial District Attorney's Office.
During his time at the district attorney’s office, Judge Chavez was appointed to the New Mexico Supreme Court’s Criminal Uniform Jury Instructions Committee and is currently serving a second term. Additionally, he was appointed director for the northern New Mexico Young Lawyers Division (YLD), which included organizing and participating in events such as wills for heroes, voting and supporting YLD programs, and advising young attorneys. Judge Chavez has twice served as a mentor for new attorneys under New Mexico’s Bridge the Gap Mentorship program.
Judge Chavez received his juris doctor from the University of New Mexico. At UNM, he was a member of the NM law review and also studied law in Mexico at the University of Guanajuanto.
