EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Judge Maria Salas Mendoza is ready to take over as the chief justice of the Eighth Court of Appeals, making her the highest ranking state judicial officer in El Paso County and for 16 surrounding West Texas counties.
An investiture ceremony for Salas Mendoza as chief justice for the Eighth Court of Appeals will be held at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 10 in the Ceremonial Courtroom on the 12th floor of the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse, 500 E. San Antonio. The public is invited.
Salas Mendoza was elected to her new position in November. The Eighth Court of Appeals considers criminal and civil appeals from trial courts.
Before that, Salas Mendoza was elected in 2006 as judge for the 120th District Court, where she served for 18 years.
Salas Mendoza, a native El Paso, has been an attorney for 30 years, first licensed in California in 1994. Salas Mendoza attended Harvard-Radcliffe College earning a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) in history and literature.
She then received her juris doctor from the UCLA School of Law. She is also a graduate of Ascarate Elementary, Riverside Middle School, and Riverside High School in El Paso.
Salas Mendoza said she is honored by the confidence and trust placed in her by the voters.
“It has been a great privilege to serve as a trial judge for almost 20 years. I look forward to continuing to serve the El Paso and surrounding counties and commit to living up to the highest standards expected of our judiciary,” she said in a news release.
Here is a biography provided by her office:
“Judge Salas Mendoza began her legal career at the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law in south Los Angeles, where she trained volunteer lawyers and students to assist low-income clients representing themselves in family law matters. She also led Spanish-language clinics for clients in east Los Angeles communities.
“Upon returning to El Paso in 1996, Judge Salas Mendoza worked as a staff attorney at the El Paso Legal Assistance Society (later TRLA). From 1999-2006, Justice Salas Mendoza served as an Assistant County Attorney focusing on civil defense work.
“In 2006, Judge Salas Mendoza was elected judge of the 120th District Court where she served with distinction for 18 years.
“Judge Salas Mendoza lends her time and skills to local, state and national organizations. She is chair of the Hispanic Issues Section, immediate past president and founder of Texas Latinx Judges, and former District 11 Director of the National Association of Women Judges. She also serves on the Supreme Court Advisory Committee, Pattern Jury Charge Committee (Business) and ABA Standing Committee on Diversity in the Judiciary. Judge Salas Mendoza’s dedication to community service includes numerous programs serving students of all ages, veterans, the unhomed and justice-involved members of our community; most recently her efforts include service through her local Lions Club.”
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