Bernardo Cruz, candidate for 168th District Court Judge
Name: Bernardo Cruz
Age: 39
Party: Democratic
Occupation: Assistant county attorney for El Paso County
Relevant Experience
My legal career has given me experience representing clients from diverse backgrounds and with complex litigation, which I believe is directly relevant to serving as a district judge.
I began my legal career representing working people in complex trial and appellate litigation, including civil rights and employment matters. I later spent several years with the ACLU of Texas handling constitutional and civil-rights litigation, and I currently serve as an Assistant County Attorney for El Paso County, where I handle affirmative litigation involving constitutional, civil-rights, governmental, employment, environmental, and other complex legal matters.
That experience has required me to understand cases from different perspectives, work with complicated records and legal issues, prepare thoroughly, and advocate effectively while respecting the role of the court.
Just as importantly, my experience has taught me that a judge's job is different from that of an advocate. If elected, the responsibility is to listen to both sides, apply the law fairly, remain impartial, and make sure every person who comes before the court is treated with dignity and respect.
I would bring that litigation experience, along with a strong work ethic and commitment to a fair, impartial, transparent, and efficient courtroom, to the 168th District Court.
Personal
I was born in El Paso, graduated from Cathedral High School, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso. After working as a banker for several years, I decided to attend law school with a focus on public-interest law. I earned my law degree from Seattle University School of Law in 2016.
I began my legal career in Washington State at Columbia Legal Services, a nonprofit plaintiffs’ law firm in Yakima, where I represented farm workers in complex trial and appellate litigation, class actions, employment law, and civil-rights matters. I returned to El Paso in 2018 and joined the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, where I developed and litigated state and federal civil-rights cases involving constitutional rights.
I currently serve as an Assistant County Attorney for El Paso County, where my practice includes civil litigation and government law
If you are elected, what are your priorities for El Paso?
One of the important challenges facing the El Paso justice system is the timely resolution of cases while working within limited judicial and administrative resources. If elected, I would place a strong emphasis on effective docket management, including early case management, clear and reasonable deadlines, efficient handling of motions, and regular attention to cases that have remained pending for extended periods.
I would also look for appropriate opportunities to use technology and available court resources effectively. The goal should be a court that moves cases forward in a timely and efficient manner while protecting due process, ensuring fairness to all parties, and maintaining the quality and integrity of judicial decision-making.
What are your plans to ensure transparency and make sure you are accessible to constituents?
I believe an open and accessible courtroom is an important part of public confidence in the judicial system. As a judge, I would respect the public and the press’s right of access to court proceedings, consistent with the Texas Constitution, applicable law, and court rules. Any restrictions on access would be based on lawful requirements applicable to the proceeding, such as protecting confidential information or other interests recognized by law. I would also seek to make court procedures and information about the court as accessible and understandable to the public as reasonably possible.
What makes you the best candidate?
What distinguishes me is the type and breadth of legal experience I would bring to the bench. I have dedicated my legal career to public service, first as a plaintiff’s attorney at nonprofit law firms and now as an attorney representing local government. My legal practice is diverse and includes complex legal issues involving civil rights, public-interest law, government law, and employment law. I have handled complex constitutional and civil litigation at trial and appellate levels. That experience has taught me that there are usually multiple perspectives on every dispute, and that a judge has to listen carefully before applying the law to the facts.
If elected, I would bring that experience, along with a strong work ethic, careful preparation, and a commitment to a fair, impartial, transparent, and efficient courtroom. I believe those qualities are important to serving the people of El Paso and fulfilling the responsibilities of the 168th District Court.
