Texas Border Business
LAREDO, Texas – Judge Victor Villarreal has been elected chair-elect of the Judicial Section of theState Bar of Texas. The election was held as part of the Annual Meeting of the State Bar’s Judicial Section at the annual conference for Texas judges. Held in San Antonio this year, Texas judges—district, countycourt-at-law, and appellate judges—are all invited to the annual judicial conference. As conference attendees, judges participate in seminars, fulfill judicial education requirements, and attend section and regional meetings to discuss matters of legal and judicial importance with other judges from around the state.
4th Court of Appeals Chief Justice Rebeca Martinez lead the Judicial Section during the 2023-2024 year and served as chair during the election. She presided over the annual Judicial Section meeting; welcomednew judges to the bench; and congratulated the new Judicial Section officers. Judge Bill Miller from Texarkana will serve as chair for 2024- 2025; and then Judge Villarreal will be chair for the 2025-2026 year.
Judge Villarreal remains committed to justice in this new role. “Judges have a duty to impart justice andthe Judicial Section helps Texas Judges to do that—with information, training, collaboration. I look forward to working with my colleagues from all parts of Texas—and across all jurisdictions—assisting all judges to build and refine their judicial skills, and building public trust and confidence in the Texas Judiciary.”
The mission statement of the Judicial Section is: The Judicial Section of the State Bar of Texas works to improve the quality of justice in Texas, examines issues affecting the Judicial system, fosters public education about the Judicial system and matters of concern to the Judiciary, promotes dialogue and collaboration among Judges, and provides a forum to discuss matters of concern to Judges.
Serving his second full-term as judge of Webb County Court-at-Law II, Judge Villarreal has served on the Judicial Section board of directors since 2021. His full service to the State Bar of Texas includes chair of the Hispanic Issues Section (2020-2021); current Juvenile Section council member; and previous Director (2011-2013), Secretary (2012- 2013), and Vice President (2013-2014) of the Texas Young Lawyers Association— frequently called “the public service arm of the State Bar of Texas.”
The mission statement of the State Bar of Texas is: The mission of the State Bar of Texas is to support the administration of the legal system, assure all citizens equal access to justice, foster high standards of ethical conduct for lawyers, enable its members to better serve their clients and the public, educate the public about the rule of law and promote diversity in the administration of justice and the practice of law.
Congratulatory remarks from judges:
The Judicial Section of Texas provides valuable education, leadership and partnerships among Texas Judges. As a Texas District Judge, I continue to admire the energy and determination of the Section leaders. Congratulations Judge Victor Villarreal on your continued dedication to the Judiciary as our new Chair-elect!” – Judge Monica Zapata Notzon, 111th Judicial District Court
“I commend Judge Villarreal as he assumes the position of Chair-Elect of the Judicial Section of the StateBar of Texas, where for the next two years he will be spear-heading discussions on how best to improve the quality of justice in Texas courts while collaborating with other judges on a myriad of subjects affecting the administration of justice in our Texas communities.” — Judge Oscar J. Hale, Jr., 406th Judicial District Court
“Sending my warmest congratulations to Judge Victor Villarreal for representing Laredo as the chairperson of the Judicial Section. Keep up the great work!” – Judge Beckie Palomo, 341st Judicial District Court
