PD Commission
Law Offices of the Public Defender Commission
In 2012, the citizens of New Mexico voted to move the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) under the Judiciary branch of the state government to be overseen, guided and supported by a newly-created Public Defender Commission. In 2013, the Public Defender Commission formed and appointed the first Chief Public Defender under a new independent format. Since then, the LOPD has been undergoing a transformation into a career law firm – the state’s biggest – and engaging in advocacy for our clients in ways the previous structure prohibited.
Commission meetings are open to the public.
LOPD Commissioners
Gina Maestas, Albuquerque- Chair
Raymond Sanchez, Albuquerque- Vice Chair
Dan Banks, Carlsbad- Secretary
Justice Richard Bosson, Ret., Santa Fe
Jacqueline Flores, Albuquerque
Naomi Salazar, Albuquerque
Michael Sanchez, Belen
Melissa Sawyers, Hobbs
Peter Schoenburg, Albuquerque
Agendas & Archive
Upcoming Agenda: April 19, 2024 Agenda
Archive agendas and meeting minutes:
September 8th 2023 Agenda
February 5th 2021 Agenda/Minutes
January 14th 2022 Agenda/Minutes
August 18th 2022 Agenda/ Minutes
June 7th 2023 Agenda/ Minutes
For older minutes and agendas, contact LOPD Records Custodian abby.adamo@lopdnm.us.