In Memoriam: Sarah Michael Singleton

Sarah Michael Singleton, retired judge from the First Judicial District Court of New Mexico, passed away on July 4, 2019. She had a long and illustrious career as a lawyer and a judge, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Sarah Singleton was appointed to the First Judicial District Court of New Mexico in 2009, and won election to that office the following year. She was previously in private practice from 1976 through 2009. Prior to that, she worked in the public defender’s department. She received her undergraduate degree from the Sarah Lawrence College and her law degree from Indiana University Bloomington in 1974. She was also the recipient of the Justice Mary Walters Award and Equal Access to Justice Award.

As a district judge in Santa Fe, she presided over many influential cases, including approving an order that led to the issuance of same-sex marriage licenses and finding that New Mexico violated the constitutional rights of some students by failing to provide a sufficient education.

Judge Singleton retired in 2017 but continued to preside over some cases as late as this summer.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement on her death,

“I am incredibly saddened to hear of Judge Sarah Singleton’s passing. Judge Singleton was a dedicated jurist and highly respected member of the community. The first New Mexico judge to rule in favor of marriage equality, she was committed to fairness, equity, and justice and leaves a legacy that will be remembered for many years to come. My thoughts and prayers are with Judge Singleton’s family and friends.”