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21 Facts About Joe Cervantes

1.

Joseph Cervantes was born on January 19,1961 and is an American attorney in private practice in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and currently a member of the New Mexico Senate, representing the 31st District since 2012.

2.

Joseph Joe Cervantes was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and raised farming near La Mesa in southern Dona Ana County.

3.

Joe Cervantes graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1979, and the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Arts in architecture in 1983.

4.

In 1985, Joe Cervantes received a Master of Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University.

5.

Joe Cervantes was licensed as an architect by the State of California in 1987 and became an associate member of the American Institute of Architects.

6.

In 1991 Joe Cervantes received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law.

7.

Joe Cervantes then graduated from University of New Mexico Law School in 1991 where he was a member of the Law Review and Moot Court Teams.

8.

In 2017 Joe Cervantes joined partners to form the trial law firm Joe Cervantes Scherr Legate PLC.

9.

Joe Cervantes is a member of the New Mexico State Bar, the ABA Litigation Section, and a former member of the Inn of Courts.

10.

Joe Cervantes represents New Mexico on the Uniform Law Commission.

11.

Joe Cervantes successfully argued the appeal upholding that jury verdict by the New Mexico Supreme Court.

12.

Joe Cervantes has multiple wrongful death, trucking and medical malpractice verdicts upheld in reported decisions from the New Mexico Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.

13.

Since 2000 Joe Cervantes has been selected to the list of Southwest Super Lawyers.

14.

Joe Cervantes is a recipient of the Dixon First Amendment Freedom Award from the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government.

15.

Joe Cervantes has served on the Board of Directors for New Mexico First, and for Leadership New Mexico, as well as other statewide boards and commissions associated with his Senate position.

16.

Joe Cervantes was first elected to public office in 1998 defeating Republican incumbent Dona Ana County Commissioner Dora Harp.

17.

In 2001, Joe Cervantes was appointed to the New Mexico House of Representatives, and was reelected in five successive campaigns through 2012.

18.

In 2012, Joe Cervantes announced he would seek the New Mexico Senate seat vacated by the retirement of Sen.

19.

Joe Cervantes has been re-elected to the Senate in 2016 and 2020.

20.

In 2020 Joe Cervantes was appointed Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he continues to serve.

21.

Joe Cervantes remains the only US elected official to be denied communion in his home parish, and attends Mass elsewhere.