Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

2nd Judicial District Court of New Mexico, Department XVIII, Civil Court

Biography

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd is a judge for the 2nd Judicial District Court of New Mexico in Bernalillo County. She was appointed to the seat in 2003.

During her judicial tenure, Barela-Shepherd has presided over civil and criminal matters. She first joined the bench as a judge for the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in 1997 and remained in that capacity until joining the 2nd Judicial District Court.

Before beginning her judicial career, Barela-Shepherd worked as general counsel for the New Mexico Department of Health and was a private practice attorney.

She received a B.S. in microbiology from Texas Tech University. Barela-Shepherd went on to complete a J.D. at the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1989.

Barela-Shepherd was appointed by the New Mexico Supreme Court to serve on the Statewide Court Security Committee and has served as chairman of the District Court Security Committee since 2005. She also sat as a member of the Bench Bar Media Committee.

She was born and raised in New Mexico and attended Valley High School.

Recent Cases by Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd

Micah A Fajardo v. Mitchell Castillo

On October 23, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 23, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

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District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

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Case Last Refreshed

Oct 25, 2026

Kirtland Credit Union v. Vernon E Harris, et al.

On October 23, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 23, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

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Case Last Refreshed

Oct 25, 2026

Midland Credit Management Inc v. Julio Padilla

On October 23, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 23, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

Case #

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Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 25, 2026

Midland Credit Management Inc v. Charmayne Davis

On October 22, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

Case #

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Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 24, 2026

Gary Griego v. William Coppola, et al.

On October 22, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

Case #

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Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 24, 2026

Midland Credit Management Inc v. Stacy Sandoval

On October 22, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

Case #

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Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 25, 2026

Midland Credit Management Inc v. Landon J Holjencin

On October 21, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

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Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

Wells Fargo Bank, NA v. Christopher A Chavez

On October 21, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

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Creditor

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Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 25, 2026

Midland Credit Management Inc v. Michael A Williams

On October 21, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

Case #

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Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

Midland Credit Management Inc v. Angel Winningham

On October 21, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

Case #

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Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 25, 2026

In The Matter Of The Name Change of Laura Rodriguez

On October 20, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

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Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

Idaho Housing and Finance Association v. Vanessa Gallegos, et al.

On October 20, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

Case #

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Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 25, 2026

In The Matter Of Barbara Ruth Vigil

On October 20, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

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Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

Wilmington Savings Fund Society v. Greg Kaufman

On October 19, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

Case #

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Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

Del Norte Credit Union v. Danielle Lynn Abeyta

On October 19, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

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District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

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Practice Area

Creditor

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Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

Snyder Construction LLC, et al., v. De Lage Landen Financial Services Inc

On October 19, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

Case #

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Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

Declaratory Action

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

State Employees Credit Union v. Christian M Palacios Amezcua

On October 19, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

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County

Bernalillo County, NM

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Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

Julian Valverde v. David Luna

On October 19, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

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Bernalillo County, NM

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Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

In The Matter Of James Markle

On October 16, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

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District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

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Oct 21, 2026

In The Matter Of Jon D Lindahl

On October 16, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

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Case Last Refreshed

Oct 18, 2026

Nusenda Federal Credit Union v. Marilia Reyes, et al.

On October 16, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

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Bernalillo County, NM

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Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

In The Matter Of Brianna Paige Taylor

On October 16, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

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District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

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Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

Makaylee Twohatchet v. Ernest Gonzales, et al.

On October 16, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

Case #

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Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

Roland Wussow v. Ann Elizabeth Gardiner

On October 14, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bernalillo County. Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd presiding.

Filed

Oct 14, 2026

Judge

Hon. Denise Barela-Shepherd 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise Barela-Shepherd

Court

District

County

Bernalillo County, NM

Case #

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Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

Declaratory Action

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 18, 2026

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About

Denise Barela-Shepherd
Current Appointment 2nd Judicial District Court of New Mexico, Department XVIII, Civil Court	2nd Judicial District Court of New Mexico, Department XVIII, Civil Court
Election/Appointment 2004 - Re-elected 2014 - Re-elected 2020 - Re-elected	2004 - Re-elected 2014 - Re-elected 2020 - Re-elected
Previous Appointment Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court	Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
Education J.D., University of New Mexico School of Law - 1989 B.S., Texas Tech University	J.D., University of New Mexico School of Law - 1989 B.S., Texas Tech University

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	NM - 2nd Judicial District Court of New Mexico
Previous Court:	NM - Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (505) 841-7534

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judge	2nd Judicial District Court of New Mexico	Bernalillo County, New Mexico
Judge	Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court	Bernalillo County, New Mexico
General Counsel	New Mexico Department of Health	None
Attorney	Private Practice	None