Gov. Jared Polis on June 10 appointed Judge Samuel Vigil to the 16th Judicial District Court, covering Bent, Crowley and Otero counties. The vacancy is created by the retirement of Judge Michael Schiferl, and is effective July 2.
Vigil is a part-time Bent County Court judge, a position he’s held since 2013, and a part-time district court magistrate since 2020 in the 16th Judicial District. He’s also maintained his private practice, the Law Office of Samuel S. Vigil, since 2013. His dockets and private practice consist of criminal and civil matters. Previously, he was an assistant district attorney in the 16th Judicial District from 2009 to 2013.
Vigil earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico in 2005, and his J.D. from Tulane University Law School in 2008.
Vigil was appointed over two other nominees announced in May, William Culver and Rodney Fourace Sr.