Maria Salas-Mendoza, a dedicated El Pasoan, is now the chief justice of the Texas Eighth Court of Appeals, inspiring women in law.
El Paso: Judge Maria Salas-Mendoza has made quite a splash recently. She was honored during a ceremony where she became the chief justice of the Texas Eighth Court of Appeals. This is a big deal for El Paso and West Texas.
Sworn in on January 10, 2025, at the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse, she’ll oversee appeals in 17 counties, including El Paso. Salas-Mendoza has been a dedicated judge for 18 years, and she ran unopposed for this new role.
She’s a proud El Paso native, having gone through local schools. Salas-Mendoza credits her community for her success, saying it helped her reach Harvard and UCLA Law School. She feels a strong connection to her roots and wants to represent her community well.
Over 100 people showed up for the ceremony, including judges, local leaders, and her family. It was an emotional event, especially for Salas-Mendoza, who reflected on her late mother’s influence on her career.
She shared how much she loves her work and how this new position allows her to be there for her family while still serving the community. It’s a bittersweet moment for her, but she’s excited about the future.
Salas-Mendoza has built a legacy of mentoring women in law. Former colleagues praised her dedication to public service and her role as a mentor. She’s worked hard to encourage women to pursue careers in the legal field.
She’s been involved in various organizations, including Texas Latinx Judges and the National Association of Women Judges. Salas-Mendoza is committed to helping women achieve their goals in law, making herself available to those who need guidance.
She believes that sometimes all it takes is one person to encourage someone to keep going, whether it’s a child struggling in school or a lawyer feeling overwhelmed. Salas-Mendoza is that person for many.
For more updates, you can reach out to Aaron Martinez at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or follow him on X/Twitter @AMartinezEPT.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times, highlighting the inspiring journey of Judge Maria Salas-Mendoza.
