Gov. Lujan Grisham Announces Three Appointments to Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 11 February 2019 11 February 2019

SANTE FE – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday announced the appointments of Brittany Maldonado Malott, David Murphy and Felicia R. Blea-Rivera to the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. The vacancies were created when Judge Sharon Walton retired and Judge Kenny Montoya and Judge Edward Benavidez failed to garner enough votes to retain their seats on the bench in the November 6, 2018 election.

“I am proud to nominate these three experienced and fair-minded attorneys to one of the busiest courthouses in New Mexico,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “I am confident these appointees will serve the people of Bernalillo County justly and I look forward to their contributions to the court.”

Gov. Lujan Grisham selected Maldonado Malott, Murphy and Blea-Rivera from the list of candidates provided by the Judicial Nominating Commission.

Brittany Maldonado Malott is a native New Mexican who most recently worked as a public defender in Albuquerque assigned to the Serious Violent Offense Unit. She also works as a supervising attorney with the Criminal Law in Practice Program at the University of New Mexico School of Law. Malott graduated from the University of New Mexico with her Bachelor’s and later went on to earn her J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law. 

David Murphy currently works as a Deputy District Attorney within the General Crimes Division of the Second Judicial District Attorney’s office. He began his career as an assistant public defender and primarily has experience in criminal law. Previously Murphy worked as the Assistant Attorney General for New Mexico where he investigated and prosecuted Medicaid fraud and financial elder abuse. He received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico and a J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law. 

Felicia R. Blea-Rivera is a native New Mexican who currently works as a litigation attorney defending counties across the state for the New Mexico Association of Counties. Blea-Rivera previously worked for the United States Department of Energy, providing legal support regarding operations at the Sandia National Laboratories. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico and holds a J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law.  

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