Honorable Barbara J. Vigil (Ret.) served as a judge and justice for over 22 years in the New Mexico state judiciary. First serving as a district court judge deciding over 16,000 cases over 12 years, then serving as an Associate Justice, Chief Justice and Senior Justice on the New Mexico Supreme Court. Barbara has presided over and decided thousands of cases involving complex legal and constitutional issues impacting all segments of society.

 In 2021, Barbara was named and served as Cabinet Secretary of New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department.  She brought extensive insight and commitment to improving the public child welfare system in New Mexico.

 Since 2024, Barbara has owned and operated a successful mediation and arbitration firm assisting parties in settlement negotiation to resolve matters in dispute.

  A tenacious, dedicated and respected leader developing and implementing improvements to the administration of justice and public child welfare system. As a statewide leader has earned a solid reputation of integrity and dedicated leadership amongst government officials, stakeholders and cross-cultural groups. Envisioned, developed and implemented numerous systems of care and as a trial court judge a continuum-of-care model to serve the needs of vulnerable youth based upon sustained collaboration between various sectors in communities including education, law enforcement, inter-faith communities, public officials, the courts and treatment providers.

 A key negotiator at the highest levels of State government between the political branches of government for resources necessary to meet the needs of Children, Youth and Families Department. Delivers presentations to political, professional, educational, cultural, and civic organizations. Has convened numerous meetings and hosted countless number of delegations of national and international officials. Was fortunate to host a member of the Supreme Court of the United States to a gathering to share divergent perspectives on prevailing legal issues and best practices in Court operations. Presented lectures on family law and the importance of cultural sensitivity at the Madrid Summer Law Institute, at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid, Spain

• University of New Mexico School of Law – Juris Doctorate, Albuquerque, NM – 08/1981 to 05/1985
• New Mexico State University – Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Las Cruces, NM – 08/1977 to 12/1981
• St. Catherine's Indian School – High School Diploma; Valedictorian, Santa Fe, NM – 08/1973 to 05/1977

• Foundation for Open Government – 2024 to present
• Carter Foundation’s Observe New Mexico Elections ONME– 2024 to present
• Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation – 2025 to present
• International Women’s Forum – New Mexico Chapter – 2007 to present
• Children's Court Improvement Commission – 2019 to 2021
• Tribal State Judicial Consortium – 2000 to 2010 & 2012
• New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners – 2018, 2020
• New Mexico State Bar Association Wellness Committee – 2020 to 2021
• Oliver Seth Inn of Court – 2000 to 2021
• Judicial Education & Training Advisory Committee – 2012 to 2021
• Judicial Conclave Planning Committee – 2012 to 2021
• Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative Leadership Team – 2012 to 2021
• New Mexico Disciplinary Board – 2017 to 2019, 2020 to 2021
• Committee on the Improvement of Jury Service in New Mexico – 2012 to 2019, 2020 to Present
• Chief Judges Council – 2011 to 2012, 2014 to 2016
• Council of Chief Justices – 2014 to 2016
• Juvenile Justice Continuum Boards, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba & Los Alamos Counties – 2000 to 2010
• Disproportionate Minority Blue Ribbon Task Force – 2006 to 2008
• Board of Directors – Open Hands – 1998 to 2000
• Chair of Santa Fe/Santa Fe de la Vega, Granada, Spain – Sister City Committee – 1998 to 2005
• Board of Directors – Museum of Spanish Colonial Arts – 2007 to 2012
• Santa Fe/Spain Cuatro Centenario Committee – 1998
• Santa Fe County Development Review Committee – 1995 to 2000
• Santa Fe County & Mountain West Region – American Red Cross – 1992 to 1998
• Board of Directors – St. Catherine's Indian School – 1994 to 1996
• Small Business Development Committee – 1992 to 1994
• New Mexico Women’s Bar Association – 1998 to 2000, 2012 to Present
• Mexican American Law Students Association – 1982 to 1985
• Women's Law Caucus – 1981 to 1984
• Beta Alpha Psi Honorary Academic Business Fraternity – 1978 to 1981
• Phi Gamma Nu Professional Business Fraternity – 1978 to 1981

Justice Barbara J. Vigil (ret.) charges $400.00 per hour plus NM gross receipts tax.