Gonzales worked as a
law clerk for Chief Justice
Joseph F. Baca of the
New Mexico Supreme Court from 1994 to 1996. He served as a
legislative assistant for United States Senator
Jeff Bingaman from 1996 to 1999. From 1999 to 2010, he served as an
assistant United States attorney for the District of New Mexico. In 2001 he was commissioned as an officer in the
United States Army Reserve and holds the rank of
major in the
Army Judge Advocate General's Corps. He is an
adjunct professor of
criminal law at
The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School. From 2010 to 2013, he served as United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico.
Federal judicial service On November 14, 2012, President
Barack Obama nominated Gonzales to serve as a United States district judge for the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, to the seat vacated by Judge
Bruce D. Black who assumed
senior status on October 1, 2012. On June 17, 2013, the
Senate confirmed his nomination by a 89–0 vote. He received his commission on August 9, 2013, and took the
judicial oath the same day. He commenced judicial duties on August 12, 2013. He maintains chambers in
Santa Fe, New Mexico. He became chief judge on January 10, 2025, after
William P. Johnson assumed
senior status. ==See also==