Keynote Speaker 

Barbara J. Vigil

Barbara J. Vigil served on the New Mexico State Judiciary for twenty-one years.  She served on the First Judicial District Court for 12 years and on the New Mexico Supreme Court for nine years. Barbara recently stepped down from the New Mexico Supreme Court on June 30, 2021 in order to pivot her career in public service to a different role. Barbara was recently appointed to serve as Cabinet Secretary of Children, Youth and Families Department. 

 As a district court judge, Barbara presided over the children and family court docket for over 10 years resolving over 16,000 cases. She then became the Chief Judge of the First Judicial District Court and assumed the civil court docket for two years.  Barbara was elected to serve on the New Mexico Supreme Court in 2012 where she served as Chief Justice from 2014 to 2016. Throughout her judicial career Barbara has worked tirelessly to improve court processes and procedures to support children and families who appear in the state court system. Her tenacious and collaborative effort has also resulted in long lasting and sustainable public resources being made available to fund programs serving children throughout New Mexico. Barbara has carries a strong commitment to improving the relationships between Tribal Courts and State Courts by her participation in the New Mexico Tribal State Judicial Consortium. Barbara was born in Albuquerque and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from New Mexico State University and a juris doctorate from the University of New Mexico School of Law. Barbara enjoys international travel and teaching law abroad in Spain. Barbara remains committed to serving New Mexico and doing all she can to better the lives of children and families.