Education
Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Houston Texas
- Doctorate of Jurisprudence, 1993
- The University of Houston Law Center,
- “El Centro Interamericano de Estudios de Seguridad Social “ Mexican Legal System, 1990
- Courses in Criminal Law, Evidence, Legal Research, Criminal Procedure, Civil Procedure, Business Entities
Texas A&M International University, Laredo, Texas
Bachelor in Business Administration, 1988
- Cum Laude
- National Dean’s List, 1986-1987
Laredo College, Laredo, Texas
Associate in Arts, 1986
- Dean’s List
- Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Vice-President 1984-1985
- Student Advisory Board, Vice-President 1985-1986
- McIntosh Editor, 1985-1986
- Student Talk Show Host, 1986
- Media Club Secretary/Treasurer, 1985-1986
- Peer Counselor 1984-1986
- English Tutor 1984-1985
Professional Experience
Attorney with Law Office of Juan F. Hernandez, (September 2023-present)
- Civil Litigation and Criminal Litigation
- Family Law
- Probate Law
- Criminal Law
- Real Estate Law
- Municipal Law
Municipal Judge for the City of Rio Bravo, Texas, (February 2023-September 2023)
- Assist in establishing court with judicial and administrative matters to be compliant
- Adjudicate city ordinance violations
Congressional Campaign, (December 2021-June 2022)
- Responsible for phone banking division throughout the eight counties, including hiring and training phone bankers on software; edited phone bank scripts utilized
- Created organizational materials for grassroots GOTV (Get Out The Vote), which was also utilized fundraising events; organized general volunteers; coordinated political sign installation and created signs for project
- Maintained campaign office by organizing materials, ordering office supplies and cleaning office
- Proofread materials for mailers and made recommendations, created digital ad and responsible for one of the TV commercials used by candidate which included writing script, directing individuals that appeared in ad, and assisting in editing final ad.
Private Practice Attorney, Part-time, (March 2021 – September 2023)
Webb County Tax Assessor, Webb County, Laredo, Texas (December 2018 - December 2020)
Responsible for several divisions within Tax Office
- Tax Assessment and Collection for Webb County, Laredo College, City of Rio Bravo, Texas, City of El Cenizo, Texas and Water Drainage District
- Department of Motor Vehicle - responsible for motor vehicle registration, transfer titles, motor vehicle dealers
- Passport Division – processing of passports to public
- Budgetary and financial responsibilities –collection of fees to County, Department of Motor Vehicle and State Comptroller, governmental entities, delinquent tax attorneys, all in a timely manner and audit compliant
- Administrative responsibilities and duties including: assessing and implementing organizational structure changes to maximize productivity and needs for department (also done in response to Covid-19), establishing productive and effective communication with other county departments and governing body to meet objectives, supervising and overseeing the county’s largest department including the 50+ employees
- Administrative experience and Legal Knowledge of Texas Tax Code, Property Tax Code, Transportation, Government Code, Local Government
- Implemented first ever technological innovations and other methods to improve service: use of QR-code in tax statement, use of text software for car dealers, created walk-up window for car dealers, created drop box envelopes for different transactions for the drop boxes, created video presentations for website and Facebook with the most common transactions (All in English and Spanish )
City of Laredo Municipal Court Judge, Laredo Texas (December 2010 - December 2018)
Performed Judicial, magistrate and ministerial duties.
- Judicial duties included accept pleas, assessed fines, hearings such as show cause, code enforcement, inspection, code abatement, and property; creation of standing orders and court procedures to ensure clear and effective courtroom practice
- Magistration duties included preliminary hearings, issuance of arrest and administrative search warrants and capiases
- Ministerial and administrative duties included assessing and implementing new objectives to utilize resources and administer legal proceedings required, establishing productive and effective communication and presentations with other city departments, such as Laredo Police Department, code enforcement, and others and governing body to produce effective and proper procedures; assisted Municipal Court Director in improving departmental productivity;
- Municipal courts obligated to follow common law, federal and state constitutional law, federal and state statutes as codified in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and local ordinances
- Recognized by the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center for Safety Initiative Award, 2018
- A first for the City of Laredo in the high volume category based on population; it recognized all the events and community outreach programs aimed at children and young adults aimed at reducing impaired driving to over 5,000 youth; provided and created video presentation with precise information such as court procedures, legal definitions, payment /community service options for defendants in English and Spanish; created a Municipal Court mascot through a community contest; created a coloring book used in visiting schools
Webb County Law Library Director, Webb County, Laredo, Texas (May 2001- December 2010)
- Responsible for overseeing the Law Library administration, including assessing Law Library needs, maintaining legal materials, online legal subscriptions and other library services for the Legal community and patrons; aided attorneys in the legal research; budget administration and personnel responsibilities and duties
TAMIU Adjunct Professor, Part-time (1999-2000)
- Responsible for the instruction of Texas State Government and Business Law
Private practice, Part-time (1997-1998)
- Law office of Mario Castillo Jr.
- Conducted legal research, aided in preparation of personal injury cases and family law cases
Laredo Legal Aide (1993-1993)
- Represented indigent persons in family law cases