LAS CRUCES – A Las Cruces attorney who served as a U.S. Air Force lawyer became a federal magistrate judge in Las Cruces last week.

Damian L. Martínez, formerly of Las Cruces law firm Mynatt, Martínez and Springer P.C., began working as a federal magistrate judge on March 10.

Federal magistrate judges oversee a wide range of judicial responsibilities. Those duties include conducting preliminary hearings in criminal cases, trials and dispositions of misdemeanor cases, and other pretrial hearings in civil cases.

“Judge Martínez’ proven legal abilities combined with his strong work ethic make him well qualified for the position of a United States Magistrate Judge,” Chief District Judge William Johnson said in a news release.

Martínez brings a 20-year history of legal work in New Mexico, Texas and across the U.S. to his new role. According to a news release and publicly available resume information, Martínez graduated from New Mexico Highlands University in 1998 with a Bachelor’s in Social Work. He received his Juris Doctorate from San Antonio’s St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2001 before serving as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate with the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps.

In that role, Martínez pursued criminal prosecutions. He also served as a special assistant U.S. attorney in New Mexico and Northern Texas.

Martinez joined Mynatt, Martínez and Springer P.C. in 2005. According to their website, Martínez was one of the firm’s shareholders. Martínez covered civil defense cases, including constitutional violations, tort claims, employment and labor disputes, personal injury claims, civil rights matters, and contract law.

Martínez’ was also a Northern New Mexico College Board of Regents member from 2015 to 2021.

Jocelyn Garrison, acting city attorney, also confirmed that the City employed Martinez and his firm to handle litigation against the City of Las Cruces.