Shown left to right: Rozier E. Sanchez CEI Faculty Award recipient Chief Judge Donna Mowrer of the Ninth Judicial District Court; Court Education Institute Director Paula Couselo-Findikoğlu; and CEI Attorney Supervisor Sonya Duke-Noel. (Photo courtesy of the Administrative Office of the Courts)

SANTA FE – Supreme Court Justice David K. Thomson and Ninth Judicial District Court Chief Judge Donna Mowrer were recognized today for their leadership and dedication to advancing judicial education in New Mexico.

 

The New Mexico Court Education Institute (CEI) presented Justice Thomson and Chief Judge Mowrer with the Rozier E. Sanchez CEI Faculty Award for excellence in judicial education.

 

“Justice Thomson has been instrumental in shaping the future of judicial education in New Mexico, playing a pivotal role in the successful transition of judicial education from the University of New Mexico to the Administrative Office of the Courts and supporting the creation of a modern, statewide judicial education infrastructure,” CEI Director Paula Couselo-Findikoğlu said in presenting the award during a ceremony in Santa Fe.

 

Chief Judge Mowrer has taught at numerous CEI conferences, trainings and educational programs, and played a key role in developing judicial education priorities as chair of the New Mexico Judicial Conference Education Subcommittee.

 

“Through her thoughtful guidance, commitment to continuous learnings, and steadfast advocacy for meaningful judicial training, she has helped ensure that educational offerings remain responsive, relevant, and grounded in the real needs of judges across the state,” Couselo-Findikoğlu said of the chief judge.

 

The award is named after the late Second Judicial District Court Judge Rozier Sanchez, who served for more than two decades as chairman of the Judicial Education and Training Advisory Committee. He was instrumental in building a comprehensive state-support judicial education system.

 

Justice Thomson joined the Supreme Court in 2019, and was chief justice from April 2024 until April of this year. Chief Judge Mowrer has served since 2011 on the district court in the Ninth Judicial District of Curry and Roosevelt counties.