An overflow crowd gathered in San Juan County Commission chambers on Friday to witness history as Brenna Clani-Washinawatok, a Navajo Nation member and standout legal professional, was sworn in as the 11th Judicial District's first Native American district judge.
She will serve San Juan and McKinley counties.
Washinawatok has served as a child support hearing officer, domestic violence commissioner and domestic relations hearing officer for the district court since 2022. She was appointed to the bench by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to succeed retired District Judge Daylene Marsh.
Born in Shiprock and a graduate of Gallup High School, Washinawatok earned a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and graduated magna cum laude from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2005.
Her professional background includes roles as an attorney in the Child Support Services Division of the New Mexico Health Care Authority, an assistant district attorney in the 11th Judicial District, a staff attorney for the Navajo Nation Department of Justice, and a senior policy analyst for the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department.
“We’re all excited – thrilled – for Brenna to get this position. She certainly deserves it, she’s earned it. San Juan County will be better for it,” said Darla Whitney-Welles. “It’s always important to see a young Native American woman rise to a position of leadership.”
Anthony Allison added, “It’s long overdue because we’re a very diverse community, so it’s good to have another Native American sitting in the judicial family.”
Court Executive Officer Jodie Schwebel explained that the swearing-in ceremony was moved on short notice from the court to the county commission chambers because of a plumbing issue.
“This is one of the three things we celebrate in such a happy way at the courts,” Schwebel said. “Weddings, adoptions and investitures.”
Judges in attendance included Russell L. Bradford, Erich F. Cole, Virginia A. Yazzie, Stacey D. Biel, Trudy Reed-Chase, William D. Birdsall, Mark Hawkinson, Bradley L. Keeler, Douglas W. Decker, Curtis R. Gurley, Sarah B. Weaver, Bradford A. Dalley, and R. David Pederson, who serves as the 11th Judicial District's chief judge.
“The responsibilities of district courts, which handle adult and juvenile criminal cases as well as civil matters such as contract disputes, personal injury litigation, and domestic relations cases,” a news release stated. “Magistrate and metropolitan courts, in contrast, have limited jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil actions up to $10,000, and conduct preliminary hearings for felony charges.”
Chief Judge Pederson welcomed the crowd on a blustery spring day. Saying he hadn’t been feeling well, he promised to keep his remarks “short and to the point.”
“What makes me particularly proud of her, and one of the things that makes her uniquely qualified to be a district judge for our two counties,” Pederson said, “is that she’s the only person who applied, to my knowledge, who’s both a Kirtland Central Bronco and a Gallup Bengal.”
Pederson also recognized former New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall, who was in attendance. Washinawatok previously worked for Udall.
The chief judge read a letter from Chief Justice David K. Thomson of the New Mexico Supreme Court, who expressed his regret for not being able to attend.
“I always remind judges to remember their swearing-in because from here on out, you’ll be sworn at,” Pederson joked.
The ceremony concluded with a robing ceremony conducted by Washinawatok’s husband, so, and daughter.
Clani-Washinawatok thanked attendees and addressed the crowd briefly in Diné, expressing gratitude to Lujan Grisham and her family.
She explained that her decision to pursue law stemmed from her experiences growing up in Gallup, where social, economic, political, geographic, and linguistic dynamics presented unique challenges.
“You couldn’t go anywhere in the late ’70s and early ’80s without the Navajo language or having an interpreter,” she said, noting that her mother often served as an interpreter, helping people navigate life in Gallup.
Clani-Washinawatok recalled that many families relied on battery-operated radios because of a lack of electricity or running water. Radio broadcasts in Navajo often reported violent crimes, domestic violence, and alcohol-related incidents. Homicides, hit-and-run accidents, and repossessions of vehicles and mobile homes were common.
“Public service announcements about the importance of knowing your rights were typical of the times,” she said. She also cited litigation by the Navajo Nation to challenge repossessions on tribal lands as a formative influence.
“There was always something big in the headlines, and that just kind of stuck with me,” she said. After law school, she was determined to return and serve her homeland.
“I will do my best to serve this office with honor and dignity,” Washinawatok said. “I take this job very seriously.”
The ceremony concluded with Washinawatok signing her oath of office.
“This is another illustration that the judiciary is, indeed, a third independent branch of government,” Pederson said. “All government should reflect our communities, the diversity of our communities, and the cultures of our communities. Diversity is a strength, not a weakness.”
Schwebel described the event as “joyous … we had a great turnout of family and friends to welcome her to the bench.”
James Washinawatok, Brenna’s husband, expressed his pride, saying, “So proud, very happy … couldn’t be more happy to celebrate with Brenna … just proud of her achievements.”
“It’s been a process just to get here – all the hard work and 18 years of legal practice with the county and the state,” Washinawatok said. “It’s a very happy and joyous time.”
“A lot of pride … she represents two communities, so for someone to take the initiative to stand up and do something while everyone is running away, that is incredible,” added Alyssa Begay of Farmington.
