Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Ysmael D. Fonseca, Jr. to the 476th Judicial District Court in Hidalgo County for a term set to expire on December 31, 2024, or until his successor is duly elected and qualified.
Ysmael D. Fonseca, Jr. of McAllen is partner at Guerra & Sabo, PLLC. Previously, he served as Judge of the 464th Judicial District Court in Hidalgo County, and as a junior partner at Guerra, Leeds, Sabo & Hernandez, PLLC. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Hidalgo County Bar Association, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, and The Federalist Society. Additionally, he serves on several community boards advocating for student success beyond graduation and into the workforce, including the Shary Foundation, where he has served as a high school professional mentor, and RGV LEAD. Fonseca received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School.
This appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
THE NEWLY CREATED 476TH DISTRICT COURT IN HIDALGO COUNTY
McAllen, Texas – Ysmael D. Fonseca, Jr., Governor Abbott’s former appointee to the 464th District Court, has been recently appointed to serve as the presiding judge of the 476th District Court in Hidalgo County.
Not new to the bench, Fonseca has managed and presided over thousands of criminal, family and civil cases. With a reputation for implementing efficient court standards, in addition to the prompt and fair administration of cases, Fonseca has been known to many in the courthouse as an effective and reliable jurist to manage the People’s Court. Hidalgo County is a growing community and the new court will address the increase in cases to be heard. The 476th District Court was created on September 1, 2022.
“I am honored and humbled to have received Governor Abbott’s confidence to serve as the presiding Judge for the 476th District Court. I am looking forward to working for the State of Texas again and serving in the fair and impartial administration of justice,” said Fonseca.
The 476th District Court is a court of general jurisdiction. It oversees civil and criminal matters including, but not limited to: divorce and custody disputes, contract disputes, personal injury cases, medical malpractice suits, and felony criminal offenses ranging from capital murder, aggravated assault, and sexual assault of adults and minors to robbery, intoxication and drug possession.
Fonseca is a partner at Guerra & Sabo, PLLC in McAllen where he specializes in civil defense, municipal and governmental law, and small business and non-profit representation. His service to the Court goes beyond the bench through his work on community boards that advocate for student success after graduation and into the workforce. Fonseca lives in McAllen with his wife Alejandra and their three children: AnaMaria, JuanPablo, and Josemaria.
