Prior to being elected to the bench, Vigil operated a private practice in Santa Fe, New Mexico.[4] She also served as a Children’s Court and state district judge before her time on the Supreme Court.[5]
She was elected to the court on November 6, 2012, defeating temporary appointee Paul J. Kennedy and assuming office in December 2012 to fill the remainder of retired Justice Patricio M. Serna's unexpired term.[6] Vigil was retained by voters in a retention election on November 8, 2016. Her term would have expired in 2024.[7] In April 2021, she announced her retirement effective June 30, 2021.[8] On August 21, 2021, Governor Lujan Grisham appointed Vigil as the Cabinet Secretary for New Mexico Children, Youth and Families, a position she held until May 1, 2023.[5] Since then she has served on the Governor's Policy Advisory Council that was established by Executive Order 2023-020.[9]
References
^ abSandlin, Scott (September 28, 2012). "Barbara J. Vigil". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved March 5, 2020.