RETIRED: Justice Edward Chavez

By Noelle Bartl

Long before Governor Bill Richardson appointed him as a justice for the New Mexico Supreme Court in 2003, Edward Chavez (BS 78) learned his honorable work ethic while working summers and weekends on his paternal grandfather’s cattle ranch in Torrance County, New Mexico. Born in Santa Fe, he worked odd jobs in high school and graduated at the age of 16.

College wasn’t in Ed’s plans until his family encouraged him to attend ENMU, where his cousin Vicki Gonzales was studying. However, being 16 and without a life direction, Ed considered quitting after his first semester. His father convinced him to finish the year, and while studying in Golden Library, Ed had a chance encounter that changed his path; a student introduced himself to Ed. Rudy Chavez (MBA 80, BBA 77) recognized Ed as the fellow green 1969 Chevy Nova owner that often passed him on the highway between Portales and Fort Sumner. Rudy shared that he was a Vietnam veteran and his dream was to be a lawyer because “a lot of people can’t speak for themselves.”

Ed Chavez and his wife, Sandra, after he performed the ceremony for their son Augustine’s wedding.

Ed thought about this encounter all night and pondered the vet’s aspiration to help others. He recalled that his own grandparents were kicked off the land they owned when the government built the interstate across New Mexico. They were forced to move to an under-developed ranch that had no running water or electricity. Memories of all of Ed’s hard work in helping his grandparents make the ranch livable came rushing back, and he wondered what it would have been like if his grandparents had been able to hire a lawyer to speak on their behalf. It was that very night that young Ed Chavez decided to become a lawyer.

The next day, he introduced himself to Ross Sanchez, who taught business law at ENMU and later became a district court judge in Bernalillo County. From that day forward, Mr. Sanchez took an interest in Ed and gave him opportunities to learn about law in and out of the classroom. Former District Attorneys David William “Bill” Bonem and Fred T. Hensley (BA 60) also inspired Ed as he observed them in court. He continued to take all the law courses ENMU had to offer, even though they weren’t required for his business administration degree.

After graduating from ENMU, Ed earned his Juris Doctor from UNM School of Law and went on to have a 23-year career in private practice. Ed recalled the law school challenges he faced, explaining that he “was newly married and had a baby on the way when law school faculty explained to 15 of us students that the odds of surviving the first semester were slim and making it to graduation was even more unlikely.”

“My wife, Sandra, who I have given the title of C.E.O. (chief encouragement officer) told me to roll up my sleeves and prove them wrong.” Ed finished his first semester ranked 11th out of 106 students and graduated in the top 30 percent of his class.

As a trial lawyer, Ed was fully in his element when presenting to juries. He was only 28 years old when he argued his first case before the New Mexico Supreme Court. At 45, he was appointed to the New Mexico Supreme Court where he served as justice for 15 years until his retirement in 2018. Ed also served as chief justice from 2007-10.

Ed Chavez during his ENMU graduation ceremony in 1978.

It was not until he was researching for an opinion he was writing on eminent domain that Ed learned his grandparents did have a lawyer to fight the state’s taking of their property. Their case ended up before the New Mexico Supreme Court – not once, but twice – because the state appealed. Ed felt better knowing they did have proper representation in court to fight the government, and said, “it was remarkable to be able to cite one of the cases from my grandparent’s legal fight when writing a Supreme Court opinion.”

“I attribute my success to Eastern,” acknowledged Ed. “ENMU laid the foundation for my career and was the perfect size for me to succeed. I would have been lost at a larger institution.”

ENMU honored Ed in 2008 with the Outstanding Alumni Award, and this past October, the UNM School of Law honored Ed with their Distinguished Achievement Award. He was also elected to be a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.

Ed Chavez hiking Mount Belford in Colorado with his son Augustine.

In retirement, Ed volunteers as chair of the statewide Criminal Justice and Public Safety Task Force, established by the legislature to recommend improvements to the criminal justice system that will promote safety throughout the state. Ed retired in hopes of finding ways to give back to his community, and he is grateful for the opportunity to work with the task force.

But retirement is not all volunteer work. Ed stated, “I’m looking forward to spending more time with the best thing in my life – my wife, Sandra – traveling more and visiting our children and eight grandchildren. I also plan to hike the Alps with my oldest son next year.”

I think we would all agree, Ed has worked hard for New Mexico citizens, has given people a voice in court for a fair trial and has earned his retirement. Thank you, Justice Edward Chavez.