Judge Claire A. McDaniel: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Claire A. McDaniel is a judge for the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in New Mexico. She was appointed to the bench by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2022, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of the Hon. David A. Murphy.

Prior to her appointment, McDaniel was a deputy district attorney for the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, a position to which she was named in 2018. In that capacity, she supervised the Metro Court Division, where she developed policy and procedure for the Metropolitan Courthouse. McDaniel initially joined the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office as an assistant district attorney in 2015, holding assignments in the DWI Recovery Court, the Community Veterans Court, and the Behavioral Health Court. Before that, she spent time as a prosecutor for the Cibola County District Attorney’s Office (2013 to 2015).

McDaniel earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Missouri in 2005. She then completed a J.D. at the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2010.

After graduating from law school, McDaniel began her legal career as an attorney in private practice, working in a civil rights law firm.

Her memberships have included the Board of the New Mexico Association of Drug Court Professionals. She has also been involved with the Cibola County Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, the Grants Main Street Project, and the Board of the Criminal Law Section of the State Bar of New Mexico.

When not presiding over legal proceedings, McDaniel is a marathon runner and cyclist. She has two children, four dogs, and one cat.

She is registered as a Democrat.