Matt Chandler

Matt Chandler is a Partner at Payne, Powell, Truitt & Chandler, serving clients through the firm’s Clovis, New Mexico office. His practice includes criminal defense and other legal matters informed by his earlier service as a district attorney and district judge. Licensed in New Mexico and Texas, Matt brings experience from both the prosecution and judicial sides of the courtroom to his representation of individual clients.

Matt earned his B.S. in Sociology from Eastern New Mexico University in 1998 and his J.D. from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2001. His educational background preceded a career involving private practice, prosecution, and judicial service. That combination of training and professional responsibility supports his analysis of the factual and procedural questions presented by criminal charges, family disputes, and civil litigation.

Matt served as the elected Ninth Judicial District Attorney in New Mexico for more than a decade. His prosecutorial experience includes over 35 murder cases and one of the state’s last death penalty jury trials. As a District Court Judge, he presided over thousands of matters involving criminal charges, divorce, custody, and civil lawsuits. He also served as the Ninth Judicial District Drug Court Judge in Roosevelt County.

Matt Chandler received recognition as New Mexico Prosecutor of the Year and Law Enforcement Prosecutor of the Year. His public service included chairing the Ninth Judicial District Judicial Council and the committee responsible for New Mexico Criminal Rules of Procedure. Matt’s background provides familiarity with courtroom decision-making and criminal procedure. He applies that experience to helping clients evaluate their legal situations and prepare for the demands of contested proceedings.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Payne, Powell, Truitt & Chandler
• Member, State Bar of New Mexico
• Former New Mexico District Court Judge, Ninth Judicial District Court, New Mexico
• Chairman, Ninth Judicial District Judicial Council
• Chair, Committee on New Mexico Criminal Rules of Procedure
• 9th Judicial District Drug Court Judge, Roosevelt County

Licensed State

• New Mexico

Awards & Badges