Federico Hernández Denton

Federico Hernández Denton (born April 12, 1944) is the 15th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. Hernández received his Law Degree from Harvard University in 1969.

Biography

He began his career as Legal Advisor to the President of the University of Puerto Rico.

In 1972, he served as the Popular Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate Rafael Hernandez Colon's campaign manager. Hernández Colón subsequently appointed him as Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Consumer Affairs.

Hernández Denton was appointed to the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico by Governor Rafael Hernández Colón in 1985 to fill the vacancy left by Associate Justice Hiram Torres Rigual. After the Senate of Puerto Rico confirmed his nomination he took the oath of office on June 14, 1985.

After Chief Justice Miriam Naveira retired from her position in 2004, Puerto Rico Governor Sila M. Calderón elevated Hernández Denton to Chief Justice. He was confirmed by the Senate and officially began his term as the 15th Chief Justice in the history of the Court on August 9, 2004. He will be required to step down as a member of the Court on April 12, 2014, when he reaches the constitutionally-mandated retirement age of 70.

Federico Hernández Denton is a member of the American Bar Association and is perceived as a moderate on the court.

In 2007, he was elected to the board of the Conference of Chief Justices.

External links

• Hernández Denton biography at the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico website - in Spanish.
• Supreme Court of Puerto Rico: "Conservative and Slow" (Conservador y lento) - Primera Hora; Oscar J. Serrano; April 2, 2007

Preceded by Hiram Torres Rigual	Associate Justice to the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico 1985-2004	Succeeded by Anabelle Rodríguez
Preceded by Miriam Naveira	15th Chief Justice of Puerto Rico 2004-present	Succeeded by incumbent