Randi McGinn

Emerge New Mexico is delighted to honor Randi McGinn as 2010 Democratic Woman of the Year.

As a founding board member of Emerge New Mexico, Randi enthusiastically rolled up her sleeves five years ago to grow an exciting idea into a successful program.  Randi is passionate about seeing more Democratic women in office, and has been an active and dedicated board member since Emerge's inception.   Not only has Randi supported Emerge through her stewardship on the Board, but she has also trained our Emerge classes in public speaking and presentation.  Many Emerge graduates credit Randi's inspiration and training as a motivating factor for their own candidacies. 

“The best way to capture how I will probably always feel about Randi is, 'That's who I want to be when I grow up!'  Her compassion, brilliance, joie de vivre, & stunning beauty -- simply dynamic and awe inspiring; I hold very damn few people in awe, but Randi is one of them.”  -- Stacey A. Ward, Esq., Emerge New Mexico Class of 2009

Randi has also worked for decades to support Democratic women candidates in New Mexico and nationally. 

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives -- "I would like to thank my dear friend Randi McGinn for working so hard on behalf of Democratic women in New Mexico.  I am grateful for her friendship and her tireless support for our Democratic Majority in Washington.  She truly set the example for ‘Women helping Women.’”

Randi's hard work and inspiration have paid off - by the end of 2010, Emerge New Mexico will have trained 90 Democratic women to run for public office and win.  18 Emergistas have sought office in 20 races - and with 9 wins and 5 races pending, we are very proud of our success, and grateful for all that Randi McGinn has done to turn a great idea into a brilliant reality.

Randi McGinn also inspires women and girls around our state to know they can accomplish their goals.  Randi successfully balances being a mother, grandmother, wife, professional woman, business owner and friend.  At the start of her legal career she took the NM State Bar exam (and passed) two days after giving birth to her daughter, Heather.  She has clearly demonstrated a great ability to juggle multiple roles.  Randi’s accomplishments motivate our Emerge program members to also achieve their dreams which can include it all – work, home, family, campaign and public office.

Randi's legal career has also been celebrated in our state and nationally.  A trial lawyer since 1980, Randi has tried over 100 jury trials in both state and federal court.  Her law firm of McGinn, Carpenter, Montoya & Love, P.A., approaches its legal work with the philosophy that they make a difference by holding wrongdoers accountable but also by bringing changes in policies, behaviors, corporations, and government agencies to prevent other people from being harmed in the future.  

Randi was honored with the 2005 Justice Mary Walters Award, awarded by UNM Women's Law Caucus.  Randi is a frequent lecturer and teacher of trial skills, the use of Powerpoint, and other creative demonstrative exhibits around the country for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA); Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA); the National Criminal Defense College (NCDC); local and state bar associations and as an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico Law School.  Randi has received top ratings in two surveys of her attorney colleagues, AV (top rating) in Martindale-Hubbell, and Best Lawyers in America - double listing in plaintiff's personal injury law and criminal law.

Randi is a member and former President of the Board of Directors of the NM Trial Lawyers Association, and is a member of the Boards of: Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Inner Circle, International Academy of Trial Lawyers American Board of Criminal Lawyers, and New Mexico Innocence Project.

Emerge New Mexico congratulates Randi McGinn, our 2010 Democratic Woman of the Year.