Patricio M. Serna

Patricio M. Serna is an American attorney and jurist who served as a justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court from 1996 to 2012. Early life and education Serna was born and raised in Reserve, New Mexico. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the College of St. Joseph on the Rio Grande, a Juris Doctor from the University of Denver School of Law, and a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School. He was later awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Denver School of Law. Serna was the first in his family to attend college. Career Before he became a judge, Serna worked at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in D.C. for four years. From 1975 to 1979, he was Assistant Attorney General of New Mexico under Toney Anaya. Serna began his judicial career as District Court Judge to the First Judicial District in Santa Fe. He served from 1985 until 1996, during which he was also President of the New Mexico District Judges Association.