Zamora elected to NM Supreme Court

New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Briana Zamora ’96 found her passion for law at NMSU. A New Mexico native, Zamora grew up in Albuquerque but chose to attend NMSU.

“After taking prelaw classes at NMSU, I was intrigued by the significant impact the judiciary has on our community,” Zamora says. “It was at NMSU that I first decided to pursue a career in law.”

Zamora double-majored in government and psychology at NMSU, and earned her law degree at the University of New Mexico in 2000.

After being vetted and recommended twice by a bipartisan judicial nominating commission, Zamora was appointed to the New Mexico Supreme Court in 2021 and elected to the position in November 2022. Since the terms are staggered, Zamora will stand for a retention election in 2024, then serve an eight-year term.

Zamora is one of a few judges to have served at every level of the court system in New Mexico.

She has presided over more than 20,000 criminal court cases and nearly 150 jury trials for charges ranging from misdemeanor DWI to first-degree murder, and heard from victims who have suffered as a result of violent crimes.

Zamora’s judicial experience began at the Metropolitan Court in 2008, which is often referred to as the “People’s Court,” where in addition to her day-to-day docket, Zamora presided over “Homeless Court” at St. Martin’s Homeless Shelter, “Courts to School” programs at local high schools and the “Native American Healing to Wellness” drug court. She moved on to district court and then to New Mexico’s Court of Appeals before arriving at the New Mexico Supreme Court.

She has dedicated her career to public service and plans to continue serving New Mexicans as she raises her two children while serving on the state’s highest court.

“I am deeply committed to improving our state and helping the people of New Mexico through my work in the judiciary.”