Louis P. McDonald
District Court Judge
13th Judicial District --
Cibola, Sandoval, and Valencia Counties
Year: 2002
Evaluation: Judge McDonald received positive ratings from all groups surveyed in this evaluation. He treats all participants in court with courtesy and respect and believes court participants should have the opportunity to communicate their views in court. Other strengths revealed in this evaluation include his sense of fairness in the courtroom and his ability to conduct himself in a manner free from impropriety. Judge McDonald has maintained and in some cases improved upon the high ratings assigned him in his prior evaluation. The judge is striving to improve his docket to make it current. He is working to improve his oral and written decisions after trials to provide guidance to the parties.
Experience & Education: Judge McDonald was appointed to a district court judgeship in April, 1992. Prior to his appointment, he worked for ten years in private practice, focusing primarily in the areas of domestic relations, criminal and personal injury litigation. The judge was active in the process of obtaining a new courthouse in Sandoval County. He is currently an active member of several professional and community organizations, including the Rotary and the Southwest Youth Soccer Board. Judge McDonald received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from New Mexico State University and his law degree from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas.