Prominent Santa Fe judge to retire at the end of May

SANTA FE, N.M. — Mary Marlowe Sommer, the Santa Fe judge who has presided over tens of thousands of cases, including several high-profile cases, is retiring at the end of May.

Judge Marlowe Sommer is retiring after serving 15 years with the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe. According to the court, she has presided over about 21,600 cases in her tenure. Among the cases are the “Rust” cases involving the trials of Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and the trial of Jeannine Jaramillo.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the people of New Mexico,” Judge Marlowe Sommer said. “However, it is time to step away from the hectic schedule of court business and enjoy retirement. During my time on the bench, I have admired and deeply appreciated those who work so hard each day to ensure the court delivers the fair and timely justice that people are entitled to in our legal system.”

In 2010, then Gov. Bill Richardson appointed her to the court. Voters have retained her since, most recently in 2020. From April 2019 to April 2022, she served as chief judge of the court.

She previously worked as a domestic relations and child support hearing officer for the district court. She also practiced law in Santa Fe for more than 20 years, including as a criminal adult and juvenile defense attorney. She even served as an assistant attorney general.

Judge Marlowe Sommer earned her law degree from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University in 1983. She earned an undergraduate degree from James Madison University in Virginia.

A judicial nominating commission will screen applicants for the vacancy. Then, they will recommend nominees to the governor for possible appointment to serve the rest of her term. Her term expires Dec. 31, 2028.