Hon. Karen L. Townsend

Karen L. Townsend serves as the chief judge of the Eleventh Judicial District Court of New Mexico, a position she has held since her appointment to the bench in August 2006. She was retained in 2008, 2014, and again in 2014 for a term expiring December 31, 2020, and was selected as chief judge on May 14, 2015. Townsend earned her undergraduate degree from Fort Lewis College and her J.D. from Syracuse University. Prior to her judicial appointment, she worked as a domestic violence hearing officer, an attorney for the City of Aztec, a guardian ad litem in abuse and neglect cases, and in private practice. She has served on the board of the Aztec Boys and Girls Club and has been involved with the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program. Her career reflects a commitment to public service and the administration of justice in New Mexico.