Serena Murillo

Serena Raquel Murillo (born 1970) is an American lawyer who is serving as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California. She previously served as a judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Early life and education

Murillo was born in Pomona, California. She is a graduate of Chino High School.

Career

In 1996, she worked as a law clerk at Shernoff, Bidart, and Echeverria in Claremont, California and in 1997 she worked as an associate attorney at McNicholas & McNicholas in Los Angeles. From 1997 to 2014, she was a Deputy District Attorney in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. From 2015 to 2025, she served as a judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. From 2018 to 2019, she was an associate justice pro tem on the California Court of Appeal after being appointed by then Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye. On November 20, 2024, a hearing on her nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee. On December 12, 2024, her nomination was reported out of committee by an 11–10 party-line vote. On December 20, 2024, the United States Senate invoked cloture on her nomination by a 49–47 vote. Later that day, her nomination was confirmed by a 49–47 vote. She received her judicial commission on January 9, 2025.

Personal life

Murillo's sister, Tiana, is also a judge on the Los Angeles County Superior Court, serving since 2022.