Maria Sanchez-Gagne

AGE: 56

EDUCATION: B.A., J.D. OCCUPATION:

Attorney

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: I have been practicing law in New Mexico for 22 years, in the District Attorney’s and Attorney General’s Office, and currently as a hearing examiner/ alternative dispute resolution (ADR) officer with the State Engineer. Similar to a judge, I preside at hearings, make rulings and issue orders involving complex water rights issues. I have also served as director of the Border Violence Division and helped write NM’s Human Trafficking law.

WHY I’M RUNNING: It is critical that our judges understand the communities they serve. Born in Santa Fe, I have dedicated my 22-year legal career to public service. In addition to my extensive experience in criminal and civil law, I bring diversity to the judiciary in this district. I am bilingual in English and Spanish, with a cultural understanding of our communities and its needs.

As a prosecutor working with the District Attorney’s Office, I prosecuted violent felonies ranging from felony child abuse to homicides, sexual assaults and juvenile crimes. As Director of the Border Violence Division at the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office, I assisted in drafting New Mexico’s Human Trafficking law, and worked with the legislature and community partners to ensure its passage in 2008. I also extradited the first fugitive from Mexico for crimes committed in New Mexico and successfully extradited a total of 13 fugitives from Mexico for crimes committed in New Mexico.

As a Hearing Examiner, I preside at hearings involving complex water rights issues, involving litigants ranging from municipalities, self-represented litigants and Acequia Associations. As an ADR Officer, I facilitate the negotiations of water disputes amongst parties.

Serving as a public servant my entire legal career, I have worked closely with social service groups, Native American pueblos and tribes, and other citizen groups to foster better relations amongst partners in the judicial communities.

I am running because I will use my experience and public service career to serve with honesty, integrity and fairness. 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