BERNARDO CRUZ
- FOR JUDGE -
168th Judicial District Court
JUSTICE, SERVICE, & DIGNITY FOR ALL EL PASOANS
About Bernardo Cruz
Our Community Deserves Experienced Leadership
Bernardo Cruz is a native El Pasoan who has dedicated his legal career to public service and protecting the rights of our community. Born in El Paso and raised in our binational region, Bernardo understands the unique challenges and strengths of our border community.
After graduating from Cathedral High School and earning his Bachelor's degree at UTEP, Bernardo worked as a banker before pursuing his true passion for public service through the law. He obtained his law degree from Seattle University School of Law, a Jesuit institution focused on public interest law and service.
MY COMMITMENT
FAIR & IMPARTIAL JUSTICE
SERVICE
A judge is first and foremost a public servant, committed to serving the community with integrity and humility.
FAIRNESS
Everyone who enters the courtroom deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background.
EFFICIENCY
Our community deserves a court that handles cases promptly and effectively, making the best use of limited resources.
Biography
My name is Bernardo Cruz
As an attorney in the El Paso County Attorney’s Office, I am currently serving as El Paso County’s affirmative litigation attorney, where I proactively protect the rights of all El Pasoans through litigation, legislative advocacy, and public education.
I was born in El Paso and raised in its sister city, Juarez. After graduating from Cathedral High School, I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Texas at El Paso and worked as a banker in downtown El Paso for several years before pursuing my true passion - A public service through the law. I obtained my law degree from Seattle University School of Law, a Jesuit law school focused on public interest law and service in 2016. Clerking at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San Jose, Costa Rica cemented my desire to continue public service through the law.
After graduating from law school, I passed the Washington State Bar and worked at a non-profit law firm in Yakima, Washington representing farm workers in complex trial and appellate litigation, class actions, and legislative advocacy focused on civil rights and employment law.
After passing the Texas Bar, I returned to El Paso in 2018 to work for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as an attorney focusing on the constitutional rights of immigrants and border communities. In this role, I developed and litigated state and federal civil rights cases. Beyond the courtroom engaged in public education and advocacy strategies; provided technical assistance on immigration-related issues to coalitions, community partners, and government officials .
