Joe Cervantes



Joseph Cervantes (born January 19, 1961) 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.

Early life and education
Joseph Cervantes was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and raised farming near La Mesa in southern Doña Ana County. Cervantes graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1979, and the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Arts in architecture in 1983. In 1985, Cervantes received a Master of Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University. He was licensed as an architect by the State of California in 1987 and became an associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

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

Professional and business careers
Cervantes practiced architecture in La Jolla, California, with Dale Naegle & Associates before returning to New Mexico in 1987 to oversee construction of new schools for the Gadsden School District in Anthony and Sunland Park N.M.

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. Cervantes began his legal career as an associate of the Albuquerque law firm Modrall Sperling Roehl Harris & Sisk. In 1995 he founded Cervantes Law Firm. In 2017 Cervantes joined partners to form the trial law firm Cervantes Scherr Legate PLC. Cervantes is a member of the New Mexico State Bar, the ABA Litigation Section, and a former member of the Inn of Courts. Cervantes represents New Mexico on the Uniform Law Commission (ULC).

As a recognized courtroom lawyer Cervantes was trial and appellate counsel part of the Santa Fe jury wrongful death verdict against FedEx for $165 million. Cervantes successfully argued the appeal upholding that jury verdict by the New Mexico Supreme Court. Cervantes has multiple wrongful death, trucking and medical malpractice verdicts upheld in reported decisions from the New Mexico Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Since 2000 Cervantes has been selected to the list of Southwest Super Lawyers

In addition to practicing law, Cervantes with his family has business interests in southern New Mexico including commercial real estate development, farming and agricultural processing.

Community affairs
Cervantes is a recipient of the Dixon First Amendment Freedom Award from the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government. 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. Cervantes is a member of the New Mexico Amigos.

In 2022 the law firm of Cervantes Scherr Legate donated $3 million to the University of New Mexico Law School to permanently endow full annual student scholarships.

Elective office
Cervantes was first elected to public office in 1998 defeating Republican incumbent Doña Ana County Commissioner Dora Harp. In 2001, Cervantes was appointed to the New Mexico House of Representatives, and was reelected in five successive campaigns through 2012. In the New Mexico House of Representatives, Cervantes was appointed as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Vice-Chairman of the House Rules Committee, and Chairman of the interim Water & Natural Resources Committee.

In 2012, Cervantes announced he would seek the New Mexico Senate seat vacated by the retirement of Sen. Cynthia Nava. In the June 2012 Democratic primary election Cervantes defeated former Sunland Park Mayor Jesus Ruben Segura. Cervantes went on to win with 68.26% of the general election vote. Cervantes has been re-elected to the Senate in 2016 and 2020.

Cervantes announced his bid for Governor of New Mexico for the 2018|2018 election]], but was unsuccessful in the Democratic Party primary. In the Senate Cervantes was then selected Chairman of the Conservation Committee in 2017. In 2020 Cervantes was appointed Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he continues to serve.

Personal life
Cervantes and his wife, New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Cervantes, are parents of three daughters, Alex, Bella, and Jules and reside in Doña Ana County.

A Roman Catholic, Cervantes made news when a local parish priest and bishop advised Cervantes he would be denied Holy Communion because of his votes to advance legislation on reproductive freedoms for women, and for end of life medical care for terminally ill patients. In his role as Senate Judiciary Chairman Cervantes rejected conditions imposed by his local prelate to withhold hearings on pending legislation. Cervantes remains the only U.S. elected official to be denied communion in his home parish, and attends Mass elsewhere.