Patricio M. Serna
Encyclopedia
Background
Serna earned a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Business Administration from the College of St. Joseph on the Rio Grande, a Juris DoctorJuris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree from the University of Denver School of Law, and a Master of Laws
Master of Laws
The Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
degree from Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
. 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.
Judicial career
Serna began his judicial career as District Court Judge to the First Judicial District in Santa Fe. He served for over 11 years, from 1985 until 1996, during which he was also President of the New Mexico District Judges Association.Serna was sworn in to the Supreme Court December 5, 1996. He served as Chief Justice during 2001 and 2002.
Serna is also President/Moderator of the National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts. In addition to his judicial duties, he has also taught as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center is the law school of Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C.. Established in 1870, the Law Center offers J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. degrees in law...
and Columbus School of Law
Columbus School of Law
The Columbus School of Law, also known as CUA Law, is the law school of The Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C..Over 900 Juris Doctor students attend CUA Law. Incoming classes are typically composed of two to three hundred students, including day and night programs. Around 3,500...
at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....