SANTA FE - Governor Bill Richardson has appointed Albuquerque lawyer Charles W. Daniels to serve as a Justice on the New Mexico Supreme Court.
"Charles Daniels exemplifies the qualities necessary to serve on New Mexico's highest court," said Governor Richardson. "I am confident that Charles Daniels' leadership, work ethic and impeccable integrity will be a tremendous asset to the state Supreme Court."
Charles Daniels replaces Justice Pamela B. Minzner, who passed away in August after a distinguished career on the bench.
Mr. Daniels has been a senior partner of the Friedman, Boyd, Daniels, Hollander, Goldberg and Ives law firm in Albuquerque for more than thirty years. Daniels was admitted to the New Mexico Bar in 1969.
"I chose Charles Daniels for the Supreme Court given his keen intellect, outstanding reputation and unwavering commitment to uphold the rule of law," Governor Bill Richardson said.
Daniels grew up in Albuquerque. He and his wife, attorney Randi McGinn live in Albuquerque.
Charles Daniels earned his bachelors degree in fine arts from the University of Arizona. Daniels graduated first in his class at the University of New Mexico School of Law and served as a Prettyman Fellow at Georgetown University Law Center where he received a masters of law degree in trial advocacy. He also served as a Professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law.
Daniels has been recognized by his legal peers with the highest Martindale-Hubbell "AV" ratings, he is a member of the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and has been recognized as one of the "Best Lawyers in America," for the past two decades.
Daniels served as both a full-time and part-time law professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law over the course of several years and continues to teach litigation related topics at courses and seminars across the country to lawyers and judges.
The appointment is effective until the next general election in 2008.
Charlie is also a great musician. His band, Lawyers, Guns and Money, used to play at many of our defense organization events.
Congratulations, Charlie! And to Governor Richardson, you rock!
Update: And to those of you who are complaining our Democratic candidates are too centrist, remember that Republicans put tough-on-crime prosecutors on the bench. The quality of our federal judiciary will vastly improve with a Democratic president.
