Barbara Vigil has been sworn in as the newest member of the New Mexico Supreme Court.
The ceremony was held Friday afternoon at the courthouse in Santa Fe.
Elected in November, Vigil fills the spot left vacant by the retirement of Justice Patricio Serna.
Vigil says she hopes to continue Serna's legacy by serving New Mexicans with integrity and fairness.
Vigil comes to the high court after serving more than 12 years as a state district judge in the 1st Judicial District. She has presided over 16,000 cases ranging from civil litigation to child abuse cases and administrative appeals.
A graduate of the University of New Mexico law school, Vigil owned and operated her own law office for years before becoming a judge.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.