Patricio M. Serna

Patricio M. Serna (born August 26, 1939) 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 retired from the court on August 31, 2012.

Serna served as President/Moderator of the National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts. In addition to his judicial duties, he has taught as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center and Columbus School of Law at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.