Qualifications

Professional Background:

Judge of the 436th District Court
Licensed Texas attorney for over twenty-five years
AV rated (highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards)
Former Juvenile Law Referee
Former Juvenile Law Prosecutor
Former Juvenile Law Defense Lawyer
Former Assistant District Attorney
Former Member of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board for the State of Texas
Former Honorary Commander for the 433rd Airlift Wing, Lackland Air Force Base
Former Co-Chair of the Community Justice Project
Former Member of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Tried over 100 jury trials as a trial attorney, including 2 capital murder cases
Licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas
Licensed in the Western District of Texas
Juvenile Board Chair for Bexar County
Vice Chair of the Board of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Member of Friends of Communities in Schools
Member of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Member of the Mexican American Bar Association
Member of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
Member of the San Antonio Bar Association
Fellow of the San Antonio Bar Foundation
Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation
Woman of the Year for 2010/2011 (National Association of Professional Women)

General Background:

Legal Training and Experience:

Received Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston Law Center in 1993
Worked as an Intern for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office from 1990 to 1993
Licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1993
Worked as a Prosecutor for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office from 1993 to 1996
Worked as a Prosecutor for the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office from 1996 to 1997
Began the private practice of law in 1997, handling criminal cases, including juvenile matters
Became Judge of the 436th District Court in 2009
Board Certified in Juvenile Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization