It is improper for a party to contact a judge directly regarding a pending matter. Please feel free to contact the secretary listed.
Shanon Riley
Secretary: - Norman Benavidez - 505-841-6068
Chief Judge Shanon Riley practiced law in New Mexico for 10 years prior to joining the WCA as a judge in August 2011. Riley had been serving as assistant district attorney in the 1st Judicial District Court in Santa Fe and spent three years as the general counsel for the New Mexico Department of Military Affairs. She also worked as an analyst for the House Judiciary Committee; as an associate attorney with a private law firm; and associate trial attorney for the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice in 1993 from the University of New Mexico, and a Juris Doctor degree in 2001 from the University of New Mexico School of Law.
Leonard Padilla
Secretary: Stefany Bencomo - 505-841-6049
Judge Leonard Padilla brought more than 25 years of legal experience to the WCA when he was appointed in August 2013. He previously worked in both private practice and public service, including 16 years of experience in workers’ compensation law. From 1992 through 1997 he was recognized as a certified specialist in workers’ compensation law by the New Mexico Board of Legal Specialization. Before joining the WCA, Padilla served nine years as chief administrative law judge for the New Mexico State Personnel Office. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1979 from Eastern New Mexico University, and received a Juris Doctor degree in 1988 from Southern Methodist University in Dallas,Texas.
Anthony Couture
Secretary: Anna Torres - 505-841-6029
Judge Tony Couture graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2007. He was in private practice in the areas of workers' compensation, general liability and complex civil litigation. Before entering the legal field, he was a registered nurse and computer scientist. His nursing experience has helped him have a deep understanding of the complicated medical issues that often accompany workers' compensation matters. Couture is passionate about working to advance the New Mexico Workers' Compensation Administration's mission to assure the timely delivery of benefits to injured workers at a reasonable cost to employers. Couture is a member of the State Bar of New Mexico and the American Bar Association.
David Skinner
Secretary: Jaime Gutierrez - 505-841-6027
Judge David Skinner has practiced in the area of New Mexico workers’ compensation law for more than 35 years. He was recognized as a specialist in workers’ compensation law by the State Bar of New Mexico prior to his initial WCA judge appointment in 2011. Skinner has taught New Mexico workers’ compensation law at numerous accredited Continuing Legal Education seminars. He graduated from Mesa State College, Grand Junction, Colo., in 1981 with a bachelor of science degree in agronomy and received his juris doctorate degree cum laude from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1987. Skinner previously worked as a WCA judge from 2011 to 2017. Since July 2022, he has served as a judge pro tempore for the WCA, handling lump-sum settlement and Director’s Enforcement hearings.
Sonya Carrasco-Trujillo
Secretary: Jaime Gutierrez - 505-841-6027
Judge Sonya Carrasco-Trujillo has had a long career in public service, having most recently served as general counsel for the New Mexico Department of Military Affairs. She is a major in the New Mexico Army National Guard, serving as the Brigade Judge Advocate for the 111th Sustainment Brigade in Rio Rancho. She was a public policy advisor and deputy chief of staff for former Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and deputy director of legislative affairs for former Gov. Bill Richardson. She was assistant general counsel at the New Mexico Department of Public Safety and was the first attorney to be appointed as an interim court judge for the City of Santa Fe. Carrasco-Trujillo earned a bachelor's degree in government and sociology at Georgetown University and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law.