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University of New Mexico School of Law, Albuquerque, NM; J.D. 1986.
Admitted to practice law in New Mexico.
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; B.A., cum laude, 1976.
BERNALILLO COUNTY PROBATE JUDGE: Serves as Bernalillo County's part-time Probate Judge (2001-present), helping both pro se applicants and those represented by attorneys in uncontested, informal probates. Since taking office, has increased court’s caseload more than 100%. Committed to community education and outreach and has increased public awareness of the probate process through the court’s web site, newspaper column, and numerous speaking engagements. Hosted "The Judge is In" on Gov-TV Cable Channel 16. Wrote the New Mexico Probate Judges’ Training Manual for statewide training of probate judges. Automated the Court’s docket system so that the public, lawyers, title companies and others can do online searches of the court's cases.
TEACHING/PUBLISHING; 1995-2001. Taught wills, trusts, probate, and health law to lawyers, judges, paralegals, health care providers, and the public. Faculty, UNM School of Law (1995) and TVI, now CNM (1995-2001). Own and run Abogada Press, which publishes books about legal topics of interest to the general public. In 1999 and 2000 worked with KNME-TV Channel 5, the local PBS affiliate, to create a five-part series on estate planning called "Where There's a Will, There's a Way." Wrote, presented, and edited three of the five parts, which aired on public television stations statewide.
PRIVATE LAW PRACTICE; 1988-1997. Emphasis was on elder law, preparing wills, trusts, powers of attorneys, living wills, and probates. Frequent public speaker and teacher. In 1993, instrumental in drafting and lobbying a law that helps to ensure an individual's "right to cremation." Also served on Uniform Health Care Decisions Act task force. Continues to draft, testify and seek improvements to New Mexico's Uniform Probate Code.
SENIOR CITIZENS LAW OFFICE; April 1989-December 1989; also 1985 and 1988. Senior Citizens Law Office (SCLO) provides selected free legal services to Bernalillo County seniors over 60. Handled cases involving wills, probate, consumer fraud, powers of attorney, zoning, and landlord/tenant matters.
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC LAW; August 1988-February 1989. Worked on national guardianship survey regarding financial abuse of the elderly.
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE; Summer 1988. Law clerk to the Honorable Robert McCoy. Researched and drafted orders regarding civil cases, particularly discovery matters. Drafted opinions for social security appeals from administrative decisions.
NEW MEXICO COURT OF APPEALS; September 1986-December 1987. Law clerk to the Honorable William W. Bivins. Researched and drafted opinions on torts, criminal matters, domestic relations, environmental law, tax law, and worker's compensation.
New Mexico Probate Judges’ Training Manual, author; published in 2003 and 2007 by UNM Judicial Education Center. This Manual contains detailed descriptions of probate procedure, judicial process, and the nuts and bolts of serving as a probate judge in New Mexico. It is used for statewide training of probate judges.
Life Planning in New Mexico, author; published in 1992-2008 by Abogada Press. Life Planning informs the public about New Mexico's laws on wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate, right to die, and nursing home benefits.
Family Law in New Mexico, editor/publisher; published in 1998 and 2009 by Abogada Press. Family Law, written by Barbara Shapiro and Antoinette Sedillo López (2009 edition), informs the public about New Mexico's laws on marriage, divorce, property and debt division, child custody and support, spousal support, domestic violence, grandparent rights, and more.
Elder Law Manual, co-author/editor; published in 1990 by the State Bar of New Mexico. The Elder Law Manual is a technical training manual for attorneys who work with seniors.
New Mexico Senior Citizens Handbook, co-author, coordinator, and editor; published in 1989 by the State Bar of New Mexico. This publication covered laws and programs affecting New Mexico's senior citizens.
Handbook for Guardians and Conservators and Alternatives to Guardianship and Conservatorship, co-author/editor; published in 1997 by the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General for use by the public.
Legal Columnist, Albuquerque Journal, 2001-2009. "Ask the Probate Judge" appeared bi-weekly in the Journal's Thursday "Business Outlook" magazine.
Legal Columnist, Prime Time, 1991-2003. Prime Time is a free monthly newspaper for seniors.
New Mexico Press Women's Award, 2000 (Prime Time column).
North American Mature Publishers Association's Best Entry in Editorial Category, 1999 (Prime Time column).
YWCA Women on the Move Award, 1998 (law category) .
Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 1998.
State Bar of New Mexico's Silver Gavel Award, 1998 (Prime Time column).
State Bar of New Mexico's Outstanding Contribution Award, 1989 (Senior Citizens Handbook).
revised 01/01/09
For more information, write: info@KeepJudgeRudd.com
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