by: Paula Rodriguez
El Paso native, Maria Salas-Mendoza has obtained the highest-ranking state judicial officer position in El Paso, Texas. She was elected for this new position in November. A ceremony was held at the Enrique Moreno Courthouse on the 12th floor on Friday January 10, 2025, where she was sworn in by retired justice Gina M. Benavidez. Others in attendance were Madam Clerk Elizabeth G. Flores, retired Judge Linda Chew, as well as her family and friends.
Salas-Mendoza won the spelling bee in 6th grade at Ascarate Elementary. The El Paso Times published the photo and names of all the spelling bee winners, along with their names, school, and career goals. At this point in time, her career goal was listed as “undecided.” The following year, she won the spelling bee at Riverside Middle School and her career goal then read “lawyer.” Though this was not true, it was just a career that stuck.
Upon her graduating from Riverside High School, Salas-Mendoza went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in history and literature from Harvard-Radcliffe College, graduating with the academic honor “cum laude.” After graduating college, she was still undecided on a career, but what she did find out was that she loved community service, as she spent a lot of time during college volunteering at Phillips Brooks House with various programs aiding with food salvage, prisoner education, and summer camps for kids. Having the love for community service, her dream was to run the Red Cross or United Way.
She proceeded to further her studies at UCLA School of Law, pursuing her juris doctor degree, as she believed that it would prepare her to run a non-profit. Following her graduation from UCLA and completing the State Bar of California in 1994, Salas-Mendoza initiated her legal career in Los Angeles, California, at the Harriet Bahai Center for Family Law, where she trained volunteers who assisted clients prepare their own pleadings to obtain child support, visitation orders, and divorces. Additionally, she provided language clinics in Spanish for clients in the community.
After returning to El Paso in 1996, Salas-Mendoza completed the State Bar of Texas and joined the El Paso Legal Assistance Society (later becoming TLRA) as a staff attorney, where she provided legal representation for indigent clients in civil matters. Additionally, she worked as an Assistant County Attorney specializing in civil defense from 1996-1999. At this point in time, she learned that she enjoyed being a lawyer, especially in the public interest area. In 2007, she became a judge and achieved a milestone she has never dreamt of and has turned out to be the perfect career for her public service heart. She has been serving as the 120th district court judge at the Enrique Moreno Courthouse since then.
Salas-Mendoza dedicates her time and expertise to various local, state, and national organizations. Currently, she serves as chair of the Hispanic Issues Section and is a former District 11 Director of the National Association of Women Judges. She founded the Texas Latinx Judges and served president. Moreover, she serves on the American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Diversity in the Judiciary, and partakes on the Supreme Court Advisory Committee, as well as the Pattern Jury Charge Committee. Additionally, she served as president and board director with the El Paso Executive Women’s Lions Club. Salas-Mendoza has earned various awards and honors through these organizations.
In addition to her above commitments, she is deeply committed in dedicating her time to various community service programs benefiting veterans, mentoring students, assisting individuals with food instability, unhoused individuals, as well as justice-involved individuals. “It has been a great privilege to use my legal education in service to my community,” stated Salas-Mendoza. She has served as a trial judge for almost 20 years and is eager to continue serving El Paso and surrounding counties, dedicating herself to upholding the highest standards of our judiciary.
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