Texas Gov, Lori Valenzuela

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Lori is from Texas. She earned her bachelor's degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin and her law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Lori and her husband, Sean, have 3 children. She attends Abiding Presence Lutheran Day Church.

Lori currently works as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She previously worked in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office and established her own law practice.

Lori I. Valenzuela is a justice on the Texas Court of Appeals Division 4 and was first appointed in 2021 and elected in 2022. Lori previously served as a judge for the 437th Judicial District Court for 3 terms, elected from 2009 to 2021. She also served as Bexar County magistrate. She is the chair of the Court Reporter Advisory Committee.

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Served as a District Court Judge from 2009 to 2020.

As a justice on the Texas Court of Appeals, ensures federal and law has been applied correctly in civil and criminal cases appealed from lower courts in thirty-two counties of Texas; in civil cases where judgment rendered exceeds $100, exclusive of costs, and other civil proceedings as provided by law; and in criminal cases except in post-conviction writs of habeas corpus and where the death penalty has been imposed

Serves as a Justice of the 4th Court of Appeals since January 2021.

As a state district court judge, oversaw all felony, probate, and civil cases, ruled in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorized naturalization proceedings, and exercised authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

As an attorney in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office,  researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided counsel to clients while specializing in prosecuting in baby death cases, murders and violent crimes.

As an independent criminal defense attorney, ensures defendants’ rights are not violated by the government over the course of an investigation or trial, gathers evidence and interviews witnesses, provides advice and counsel on sentencing standards and possible plea deals, and represents defendants during pre-trial hearings, the trial, and any post-trial sentencing hearings.

As county magistrate in Bexar County, processed all arrests made within Bexar County that were a class B or higher and also processed class C charges that are filed out of the Justice of the Peace Courts.

- As a justice on the Texas Court of Appeals, ensures federal and law has been applied correctly in civil and criminal cases appealed from lower courts in thirty-two counties of Texas; in civil cases where judgment rendered exceeds $100, exclusive of costs, and other civil proceedings as provided by law; and in criminal cases except in post-conviction writs of habeas corpus and where the death penalty has been imposed
- As a state district court judge, oversaw all felony, probate, and civil cases, ruled in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorized naturalization proceedings, and exercised authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.
- As an attorney in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office,  researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided counsel to clients while specializing in prosecuting in baby death cases, murders and violent crimes.
- As an independent criminal defense attorney, ensures defendants’ rights are not violated by the government over the course of an investigation or trial, gathers evidence and interviews witnesses, provides advice and counsel on sentencing standards and possible plea deals, and represents defendants during pre-trial hearings, the trial, and any post-trial sentencing hearings.
- As county magistrate in Bexar County, processed all arrests made within Bexar County that were a class B or higher and also processed class C charges that are filed out of the Justice of the Peace Courts.

Legal Experience

As presiding judge, co-founded the Felony Veteran’s Treatment Court.

Co-founded the Felony Veteran’s Treatment Court.

Served as chair of the Texas Center for the Judiciary Board of Directors.

- Co-founded the Felony Veteran’s Treatment Court.
- Served as chair of the Texas Center for the Judiciary Board of Directors.

Judicial Administration

Believes in "equal access to justice" and promises to rule "impartially" and "fairly" and to uphold "the Constitutions of the United States and Texas."

Believes in "equal access to justice" and promises to rule impartially to uphold "the Constitutions of the United States and Texas."

- Believes in "equal access to justice" and promises to rule impartially to uphold "the Constitutions of the United States and Texas."

Judicial Philosophy

As of September 7, 2024, Lori I. Valenzuela’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Served on the executive board of the Boy Scouts of America.

Served as a board member of the Family Service Association, a nonprofit organization that provides services to families and individuals in need.

Served as chairperson of the board of directors for the St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home, a non-profit organization that provides residential care for children in foster care.

- Served on the executive board of the Boy Scouts of America.
- Served as a board member of the Family Service Association, a nonprofit organization that provides services to families and individuals in need.
- Served as chairperson of the board of directors for the St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home, a non-profit organization that provides residential care for children in foster care.

Community Involvement

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Lori I. Valenzuela

Lori is from Texas. She earned her bachelor's in government from the University of Texas at Austin and her law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Lori and her husband, Sean, have 3 children. She attends Abiding Presence Lutheran Day Church.

Lori I. Valenzuela currently serves as a justice on the Texas Court of Appeals Division 4 and was first appointed in 2021 and elected in 2022. Lori previously served as a judge for the 437th Judicial District Court for 3 terms, elected from 2009 to 2021. She also served as Bexar County Magistrate. Lori is the chair of the Court Reporter Advisory Committee.

- As a justice on the Texas Court of Appeals, ensures federal and law has been applied correctly in civil and criminal cases appealed from lower courts in thirty-two counties of Texas; in civil cases where judgment rendered exceeds $100, exclusive of costs, and other civil proceedings as provided by law; and in criminal cases except in post-conviction writs of habeas corpus and where the death penalty has been imposed
- As a state district court judge, oversaw all felony, probate, and civil cases, ruled in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorized naturalization proceedings, and exercised authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.
- As an attorney in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office,  researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided counsel to clients while specializing in prosecuting in baby death cases, murders and violent crimes.
- As an independent criminal defense attorney, ensures defendants’ rights are not violated by the government over the course of an investigation or trial, gathers evidence and interviews witnesses, provides advice and counsel on sentencing standards and possible plea deals, and represents defendants during pre-trial hearings, the trial, and any post-trial sentencing hearings.
- As county magistrate in Bexar County, processed all arrests made within Bexar County that were a class B or higher. She also processed class C charges that are filed out of the Justice of the Peace Courts.

Lori I. Valenzuela is a native Texan who attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned her J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law. She is married to R. Sean McCleskey and has three children. She is a member of Abiding Presence Lutheran Day School.

Lori I. Valenzuela is currently a Justice on the 4th Court of Appeals, a position she has held since January 2021. She previously served as a Judge for the 437th Judicial District Court from 2009 to 2021. She has also worked at the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office and established her own law practice concentrating on criminal defense.

Lori I. Valenzuela has served as a Justice on the 4th Court of Appeals since January 2021 and was a Judge for the 437th Judicial District Court from 2009 to 2021. She co-founded and presided over the Felony Veteran’s Treatment Court. Valenzuela is also the Chair of the Court Reporter Advisory Committee.

Member of the William S. Sessions-American Inn of Court.

As a District Court Judge, I have presided over civil and criminal cases, family law matters, and juvenile cases.

Believes his background in criminal law provides a unique perspective as a justice.

Believes in balancing community protection with the rights of the accused.

Supports the Fourth Court of Appeals having jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases from 32 Texas counties, including civil cases with judgments over $100 and excluding post-conviction writs of habeas corpus and death penalty cases.

Served as chair of the Court Reporter Advisory Committee.

Supports adhering to the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

Served as a member of the Child Fatality Review Board.

Served as a board member of the Abiding Presence Lutheran Day School.

- In Texas, appeals from district and county courts, except death penalty cases, go to one of 14 intermediate courts of appeal.
- There are a total of 80 appellate court seats, distributed variably among the courts based on population across the 14 districts.
- Courts with more than three justices decide cases in rotating panels of three.
- Justices are elected in partisan elections for six-year terms.
- The yearly salary for a Court of Appeals justice in Texas is between $192,500 and $255,050 based on the total number of years they have served.

Texas Court of Appeals Justice, Division 4

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