Texas Border Business –
San Antonio, Texas – The Hon. Israel Ramon Jr. of the 430th District Court in Hidalgo County was among three honored at the St. Mary’s University School of Law Alumni Association’s 2014 Distinguished Law Graduate Dinner in San Antonio on Friday.
This year’s Distinguished Graduates include The Hon. Israel Ramon Jr. (J.D. ’77) and Clarence “Clem” Lyons (J.D. ’62), of the Law Office of Clem Lyons PC in San Antonio. Tiffanie S. Clausewitz (J.D. ’08), an associate attorney with the Rosenblatt Law Firm in San Antonio, was named the Distinguished Young Alumna.
The Association hosts the annual event to fund scholarships. This year, more than 800 people attended and shattered previous records by raising $175,000. Attendees from the Rio Grande Valley raised about $100,000 of the total.
“The flood of sponsors from Rio Grande Valley residents shows that “the Valley is a close-knit group” with a strong Law Alumni Association chapter”, Ramon said.
Ramon – who earned his Bachelor of Arts in urban studies and Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s – said he would like to see other deserving alumni from the Rio Grande Valley honored.
Though he has nominated other Rio Grande Valley residents for the Distinguished Law Graduate award, his recognition is among very few and he hopes it marks the start of greater recognition of worthy individuals from the region.
In 1979, former Congressman Eligio “Kika” de la Garza II (J.D. ’52) received the award.
Ramon has served on the bench of the 430th District Court for nearly six years and worked previously as Assistant Texas Attorney General, First Assistant District Attorney at the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office and in general practice. The Hidalgo County Bar Association has recognized him with both the Lifetime Achievement and the Professionalism (Ethics) awards. TBB
