C. Shannon Bacon (born 1971 or 1972)^[1] is an American attorney, legal scholar, and jurist serving as the chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court.

Early life and education

Bacon was raised in North Valley, New Mexico.^[2] She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Creighton University in Omaha and a Juris Doctor from the Creighton University School of Law.^[3]

Career

After graduating from law school, Bacon returned to Albuquerque, where she was admitted to the State Bar of New Mexico in 1997. She was formerly partner at a pair of Albuquerque law firms and clerked under Judge A. Joseph Alarid at the New Mexico Court of Appeals.^[4] Bacon is an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law, where she teaches courses on evidence and trial practice.^[4]

Judicial service

State district court

Bacon was appointed a Judge of the Second Judicial District Court in 2010, where she served until her elevation to the Supreme Court.^[5]

New Mexico Supreme Court

In December 2018, Bacon was one of fourteen applicants who applied for two upcoming vacancies on the Supreme Court.^[6] On January 11, 2019 the Nominating Commission submitted her name along with six others to fill the vacancies.^[7] On January 25, 2019 Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced her pick of Bacon to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Charles W. Daniels.^[8] She was sworn in on February 4, 2019.^[9] She was elected to serve as the next chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court and sworn in on April 13, 2022.^[10]

Personal

Bacon identifies as a lesbian.^[11] She is the first openly LGBT member of the New Mexico Supreme Court.^{[citation needed]}