Introduction
Michael Edward Vigil is an Associate Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court. He formerly was a Judge on the New Mexico Court of Appeals.
Education
Vigil graduated from the Santa Fe University of Art and Design (formerly College of Santa Fe) in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a history minor. He received his Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1976.
Legal career
Vigil began his legal career in 1976 as a staff attorney for the New Mexico Court of Appeals. He entered private practice in 1979, focusing on personal injury and medical malpractice. He was in private practice until his appointment to the Court of Appeals.
State court service
Vigil was a judge on the New Mexico Court of Appeals. He was appointed to the court in 2003 by Democratic Governor Bill Richardson. He was elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2012 to a term set to end December 31, 2020. Vigil was elected by his peers in 2015 to a two-year term as chief judge. His service on the appeals court terminated upon his election to the Supreme Court.
New Mexico Supreme Court
Vigil was previously considered in 2015 for appointment to the court after the retirement of Richard C. Bosson. On November 6, 2018 Vigil was elected to the court, beating incumbent Gary L. Clingman 59%–40%. His term began on January 1, 2019.
Personal
He is married with four adult children and three grandchildren.