The Adjudication Bureau strives to resolve disputes between workers and employer/insurers over a worker’s right to receive worker compensation benefits and if so, the extent of benefits. Informal and formal conferences and hearings are conducted, during which claims are evaluated and decided consistent with both statutory and case law. Disputes are resolved either by agreement of the parties or by order of the court.
Meet the WCA Judges
Please note, it is improper for a party to contact a judge directly regarding a pending matter. Please feel free to contact the secretary listed.
Anthony Couture
Secretary: Sabrina Bludworth – (505) 525-1180
Email: Sabrina.Bludworth@wca.nm.gov
Judge Tony Couture earned his law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2007. Prior to joining the bench, he practiced in workers’ compensation, general liability, and complex civil litigation. Before entering the legal field, he worked as both a registered nurse and a computer scientist. His medical background gives him a strong understanding of the complex medical issues often involved in workers’ compensation cases. Judge Couture is committed to advancing the mission of the New Mexico WCA by ensuring the timely delivery of benefits to injured workers at a reasonable cost to employers. He is a member of the State Bar of New Mexico and a registered nurse. In his spare time, Judge Couture is an avid bicyclist and photographer. He is a proud parent of 3 adult children and happily married to his spouse, Kris.
David Skinner
Secretary: Christina Correa – (505) 420-1188
Email: Christina.Correa@wca.nm.gov
Judge David Skinner has practiced New Mexico workers’ compensation law for over 35 years and was previously recognized as a specialist in the field by the State Bar of New Mexico. He was first appointed as a WCA judge in 2011 and has taught extensively in accredited Continuing Legal Education seminars. He holds a Bachelor of Science in agronomy from Mesa State College (1981) and earned his Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1987. Judge Skinner served on the bench from 2011 to 2017. Judge Skinner was re-appointed in 2023 and is presently assigned to the Las Cruces field office.
Doug Christopherson
Email: alexus.najera@wca.nm.gov
Judge Christopherson moved to New Mexico in 2012 after completing law school at the University of Utah and lives in the North Valley with his partner and daughter. Before attending law school, he spent several years managing psychiatric research studies for an outpatient research clinic. Following law school, Christopherson initially worked as a prosecutor for the State of New Mexico where he handled DWI and domestic violence cases. He spent the next decade as a defense attorney specializing in workers’ compensation cases before joining the Workers’ Compensation Administration as a mediator in September 2023.
Ned Fuller
Email: reva.fowler@wca.nm.gov
Judge Fuller served as the Assistant Director of the Workers’ Compensation Administration from 2000 to 2001 and then as a WCA judge from March 2001 to December 2003. In January 2011, he returned to the agency as Director, serving until December 2013. Afterward, he joined the New Mexico General Services Department, where he was litigation bureau chief for the Risk Management Division and later acting cabinet secretary through December 2018. Most recently, he served as a deputy district attorney for the 11th Judicial District in Farmington, New Mexico.
Shanon Riley
Email: Jaime.Gutierrez@wca.nm.gov
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.