Vern Payne is a Belen Attorney with over 40 years of legal experience. Mr. Payne also spent time in the judiciary as both a New Mexico trial judge and a member of the New Mexico Supreme Court. In addition, Mr. Payne has served as both a Faculty Advisor and Faculty Member of The National Judicial College.

Mr. Payne received his Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico in 1964 and has continuously served the State of New Mexico since that time. He is the senior partner of Smith & Payne, and specializes as a New Mexico probate lawyer.

Vern’s father was also a New Mexico lawyer who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives for the State of New Mexico. Vern’s mother was presented with the Mother of the Year Award for New Mexico. Vern is bilingual; speaking Spanish fluently enables him to better serve the diverse populous of New Mexico.