Edward L. Chavez
Supreme Court Justice
Statewide
Year: 2014
Evaluation: Justice Edward Chavez received consistently high ratings in this evaluation. He exhibits strengths in all judicial performance categories, including timely submission of his authored opinions, effectively handling his workload, and working hard. His decisions are readable and understandable. He conducts himself in a manner free from impropriety and demonstrates knowledge of substantive law. Although this evaluation indicated no specific areas of weaknesses or concern, Justice Chavez is committed to improving his judicial skills.
Experience & Education: Justice Chavez was appointed to the bench in 2003 and was elected in 2004. Before assuming the bench, he worked for 22 years in private practice. He served as President of the Legal Aid Society of Albuquerque, Chairman of the University of New Mexico Mental Health Center, and Chairman of the Disciplinary Board. Justice Chavez teaches at the University of New Mexico School of Law. He received his undergraduate degree from Eastern New Mexico University and his law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1981.
PERCENTAGE THAT AGREE OR DISAGREE THAT THE JUSTICE EXHIBITS POSITIVE QUALITIES IN EACH CATEGORY *
| Attorneys (n=222, 40% Response Rate) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Agree | Partly Agree/ Partly Disagree | Disagree |
| Exhibits Integrity | 91% | 7% | 2% |
| Fair and Impartial | 86% | 9% | 5% |
| Knowledgeable of Law | 88% | 9% | 3% |
| Respects Court Employees | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Appropriate Demeanor | 96% | 1% | 2% |
| Timeliness of Rulings | 92% | 5% | 4% |
| Handles Ongoing Workload | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Court Staff (n=55, 59% Response Rate) | |||
| Category | Agree | Partly Agree/ Partly Disagree | Disagree |
| Exhibits Integrity | 97% | 0% | 3% |
| Fair and Impartial | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Knowledgeable of Law | 95% | 5% | 0% |
| Respects Court Employees | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Appropriate Demeanor | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Timeliness of Rulings | 92% | 4% | 4% |
| Handles Ongoing Workload | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Appellate Judges (n=14, 93% Response Rate) | |||
| Category | Agree | Partly Agree/ Partly Disagree | Disagree |
| Exhibits Integrity | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Fair and Impartial | 93% | 0% | 7% |
| Knowledgeable of Law | 99% | 0% | 1% |
| Respects Court Employees | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Appropriate Demeanor | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Timeliness of Rulings | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Handles Ongoing Workload | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| District Judges (n=50, 58% Response Rate) | |||
| Category | Agree | Partly Agree/ Partly Disagree | Disagree |
| Exhibits Integrity | 98% | 0% | 2% |
| Fair and Impartial | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Knowledgeable of Law | 96% | 2% | 2% |
| Respects Court Employees | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Appropriate Demeanor | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Timeliness of Rulings | 87% | 10% | 3% |
| Handles Ongoing Workload | N/A | N/A | N/A |
* On the tables above, the "Agree" columns are comprised of the strongly agree and agree responses. Similarly, the "Disagree" columns are comprised of the strongly disagree and disagree responses. The combined percentage of "Agree", "Disagree", and "Partly Agree/Partly Disagree" for each category may not equal 100% due to rounding error. "N/A" indicates that the category is "not applicable" because some populations were not asked certain questions.
PERCENTAGE THAT RECOMMEND THE JUDGE BE RETAINED OR NOT BE RETAINED IN OFFICE. ‡
‡ On the charts above, the "Retain" columns are comprised of the strongly recommend retain and somewhat recommend retain responses. Similarly, the "Do Not Retain" columns are comprised of the strongly recommend not retain and somewhat recommend not retain responses.