Gary L. Clingman (born September 21, 1951) is a former Associate Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court. Education Clingman received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin and his Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School of Law. Legal career He served as an attorney for a private firm for more than 12 years. State judicial service Clingman was appointed as a district judge in 1997. He was the Chief Judge of the Fifth Judicial District from 2006–2018. Teaching career Clingman has served as an instructor and facilitator at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada, and is pursuing his postgraduate degree in Judicial Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno. Service on New Mexico Supreme Court In April 2018 Clingman was one of two names submitted to the governor to fill the seat vacated by the retirement of Justice Edward L. Chávez. On April 6, 2018 Governor Susana Martinez announced his appointment to the New Mexico Supreme Court. He was sworn in on April 30, 2018. His term ended on December 31, 2018. Personal life Clingman is a registered Republican. References External links Profile on New Mexico Supreme Court website Living people 1951 births 20th-century American judges 21st-century American judges New Mexico Republicans New Mexico state court judges Justices of the New Mexico Supreme Court People from Hobbs, New Mexico Texas Tech University School of Law alumni University of Texas Permian Basin alumni