2026 henrietta pettijohn honorees

HONORABLE BEATRICE J. BRICKHOUSE, Henrietta Pettijohn Honoree

Judge Beatrice J. Brickhouse began practicing law in New Mexico in 1993, after graduating from The University of Arizona Law College. She was appointed a State District Court Judge in January 2009 for the Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. She is a general jurisdiction judge assigned to the Civil Division of which she is the Presiding Judge. She hears a wide variety of cases, including personal injury, professional negligence, employment, contract, civil rights, probate, guardianship, suits against governmental entities, and business disputes. Additionally, she is the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Court Judge. Prior to becoming a judge, Judge Brickhouse practiced as both a civil and criminal litigator for 16 years in New Mexico, trying numerous cases to judgment. Judge Brickhouse has been a member of the Board of Bar Commissioners, the Albuquerque Bar Association, the New Mexico Black Lawyers’ Association, the National Association of Women Judges, the New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners, New Mexico Black Judicial Council, The Links, Inc., and Global Give-a-Book. She also served as President of the Lincoln County Bar Association.She has facilitated as a group leader for the National Judicial College’s GeneralJurisdiction Course and served as a panelist for CLE presentations. She participates in programs where she engages with local students and the community about the legal profession and judiciary. Judge Brickhouse served in the U.S. Army as a Signal Corps Officer. She resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She enjoys exercising, audiobooks, good conversation, and New Mexico sunsets.

Stephanie Padilla, Rising Star Award HONOREE

Stephanie Padilla graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2021 and currently serves as the lead child welfare attorney for her community, the Pueblo of Isleta. Stephanie is also a proud descendent of Laguna and Cochiti Pueblos. In her current role, Stephanie litigates civil abuse and neglect and truancy cases for the Pueblo of Isleta, intervenes in CYFD cases involving Isleta children, and works with tribal and state partners to implement the Indian Child Welfare Act and Indian Family Protection Act. Stephanie previously worked as a children’s court attorney at the Children, Youth and Families Department and briefly practiced administrative law at the New Mexico Department of Justice. Stephanie also serves as chair of the NMDOJ’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Task Force and is a member of the Children’s Court Improvement Commission. Outside of law, Stephanie is a yogi, a cat mom, and a balloon fiesta enthusiast.