Gregory S. Shaffer

AGE: 46

EDUCATION: J.D., New York University School of Law, 1997; B.A., Pennsylvania State University, 1994

OCCUPATION: First Judicial District Court Judge, Division II.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Before becoming judge, I was Santa Fe County attorney and general counsel at the Department of Finance and Administration.

As the sitting judge, I have presided over jury trials, non-jury trials and other evidentiary proceedings, and heard and decided discovery and substantive motions in a wide variety of areas. Representative matters include tort claims, wrongful death actions, guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, tax refund cases, commercial disputes, property disputes, probate matters, Inspection of Public Records Act cases, procurement protests and foreclosure actions.

WHY I’M RUNNING: I am running because of my passion for public service and my belief in the importance of a competent judiciary.

The independent, bipartisan Judicial Nominating Commission recognized that my experience, demeanor and other attributes make me well-suited to successfully serve in this position. That commission evaluated all four candidates for Division II at various times. I am the only candidate it recommended for district court judge.

Division II is a civil position. I have over 20 years of diverse civil law experience, both in private practice as a litigation attorney at a national law firm, as a public servant in New Mexico, and as a judge. My time as Santa Fe County Attorney taught me about the community, the challenges we face, the values we hold, and the importance of each issue to the affected parties.

Focusing on those things a district court judge can individually control, I have and will continue to emphasize active case management and early mediation/settlement facilitation. Active case management ensures that cases are set for trial soon after being filed, with interim deadlines established to ensure cases do not languish. Early mediation/ settlement facilitation helps encourage settlement early in the process, before unnecessary resources are consumed by litigation.

My time on the bench has convinced me of the need for increased legislative funding for low-income legal services. Low-income citizens often find themselves unrepresented in civil lawsuits. Providing them with lawyers would both increase their access to justice and help the courts be more efficient.

BACKGROUND QUESTIONS:

1. Have you or your business — if you are a business owner — ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens? No.

2. Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding? No.

3. Have you ever been arrested for, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony? No.