About Dave
Qualified Legal Attorney
University of New Mexico School of Law in 1978 Juris Doctorate.
Over 40 Years of Experience
Practiced Law in Northwest New Mexico continuously for 42 years.
Certificates
* Certificate of Appreciation 11th Judicial District Attorney Office for Service as Chief Deputy DA
* Certificate of Appreciation New Mexico Association of Counties Passage Prime Sponsor of County Legislative Bills
Professional And Experienced Law Attorney
Judge R. David Pederson
I’m a lifelong resident of McKinley County born and raised in Gallup, New Mexico. I graduated Gallup High School in 1971 as the class Salutatorian. I am 66 years old married to my beautiful wife Jamie Gene (Jonas) Pederson of 44 years. We have two Adult children Jessica Pederson (daughter) and Erik Perderson (son) and one Grandchild Conner Michaele Pederson. My parents are Robert L. Pederson (father) and Alice Montoya Pederson (mother) who are both deceased. Julie Pederson (sister).
Practiced Law in Northwest New Mexico continuously for 42 years. Unanimously recommended by the bipartisan Judicial Nominating Committee and appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham on April 24, 2020. I will propose the creation of a Veteran’s Court for McKinley County and strongly support the newly approved DWI/Drug Court in our McKinley Magistrate Court.
History & Expertise
Law School
- 1975, Graduate University of New Mexico Bachelor of University Studies (with Distinction)
- 1978, Graduate University of New Mexico School of Law (Juris Doctorate)
Civic Duty
- Past Board Member Gallup Country Club
- Past Board Member Gallup Optimist Club
- Past Elder Trinity Lutheran Church Gallup, NM
- Past Chair & Vice Chair McKinley County Democratic Party
Bar Admissions
- October 1978 to date, Admitted New Mexico State Bar
- January 1980 to date, Admitted to New Mexico Federal Bar
- 1978 - 80 Associate attorney Schuelke, Wolf & Rich Gallup, NM
- Past member of Zuni Pueblo Tribal Bar
- Past member of American Bar Association
- Past member of International Municipal Lawyers Association
- Past President of McKinley County Bar Association
Other Legal Duties
- State Representative District 5 Gallup/McKinley County
- 1993 - 2000, Past Chair House Judiciary & Rules Committees
- Past Vice Chair House Judiciary Committee & Government Ethics Task Force
- Past Chair Courts, Corrections & Criminal Justice Legislative Interim Committee
- Past Member Legislative DWI Oversight Task Force
- Past Member City of Gallup Charter Revision Committee
- Past Member Ft. Wingate Army Depot Re-use Committee
- Past Member Governor's Criminal Law Task Force
- Member Attorney General's Advisory Committee
- Past Chair Attorney General's Prison Regulation Task Force
- 2008 - 2011, State Bar of New Mexico District Two Bar Commissioner
- 1978 - 2014, Notary Public
- Past Board Member New Mexico Council on Crime & Delinquency
- Past Board Member New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Past Member District Court Rules of Criminal Procedure Supreme Court Committee
- Past Member 11th Judicial District Judicial Selection Commissions
- 1981 - 1984, Former Bank Counsel & Trust Officer First Interstate Bank of Gallup
- 1984 - 1987, Former Chief Deputy DA McKinley County
- 2017 to date, Chief Deputy DA McKinley County
Awards
- Gallup National Little League Certificate of Appreciation
- Certificate of Appreciation New Mexico Association of Counties Passage Prime Sponsor of County Legislative Bills
- Certificate of Appreciation 11th Judicial District Attorney Office for Service as Chief Deputy DA
- Milagro Animal Protection of New Mexico Achievement Award Passage of Felony Animal Cruelty Bill Prime Sponsor and the Milagro Executive Director's Award Legislative Excellence
- New Mexico State Police Officer's Association Appreciation Award
- Keynote Speaker Award National Juvenile Corrections and Detention Forum
- New Mexico Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee Award for Child Advocacy
- MADD Award for Passage of DWI Laws Prime Sponsor
- Gallup McKinley County Schools "Neat People" Award
- Gallup High Band Boosters Award for Funding the Ken Holloway Performing Arts Center
- State Bar of New Mexico Award for Exemplary Service as State Bar Commissioner
- Orguello De Nuevo Mexico Award Hispanic Roundtable
- Colonel-Aide-de-Camp Governor Bruce King
- McKinley County Democratic Party Silver Award
- New Mexico Metropolitan and Magistrate Judges Association Award
- New Mexico Anti-Defamation League Distinguished Public Service Award for Passage and Prime Sponsor of the New Mexico Hate Crimes Law