Texas Border Business
Written by Dr. Gilberto de los Santos
Professor Emeritus The University of Texas—Pan American
Edited By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez, Publisher
As originally published by Texas Border Business newsprint Edition February 2010
After an illustrious 31-year career as an attorney, Israel Ramon, Jr. became the first elected judge of the 430th Texas District Court, Hidalgo County. He ran without opposition from either Democrats or Republicans, taking office January 1, 2009.
Judge Ramon started as an Assistant Texas Attorney General in 1977, became Hidalgo County Assistant District Attorney in 1978, and started his private practice in 1981. He was in private practice for 27 years. He is a member of the Bar of Texas, Hidalgo County Bar Association, Southern District of Texas, 5th Circuit, and The United States Supreme Court.
Judge Ramon is a former Director of the Hidalgo Bar Association. He served as Special Prosecutor in Hidalgo and Nueces Counties, and achieved a record 100% conviction rate! He was on the committee that revised and drafted the rules of conduct for Texas Attorneys as a member of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct Committee.
He was appointed twice as Discovery Master in complex civil litigations, and once as Umpire in Federal Court for an insurance dispute. Judge Ramon was a mediator for 14 years, and mediated over 2,500 cases, as well as arbitrated over 75 cases.
Like most of our district judges, Judge Ramon works hard and long hours to see that justice is carried out on a timely basis in his court.
He said, “Justice delayed, is justice denied. I do my best to keep my case docket moving on a timely basis. I have a great staff working with me, and I developed the habit of working long hours during my 31 years of private practice. I have discovered that my experience as an attorney has prepared me well to carry forth the rigorous duties of a district judge.
As an attorney, I strived to help families and businesses with their legal issues which included contracts, deeds, wills, testaments, criminal allegations, torts, divorces, and many other legal questions. Very few cases that have come to the 430th court have surprised me during my first year as a judge.”
Given his achievements and extensive legal experience, it is not surprising that Judge Ramon was recognized by his peers as Texas Super Lawyer in Texas Monthly three years in a row—2006, 2007, and 2008 in the areas of dispute resolution and general civil trial law.
He was also honored by the Hidalgo County Bar Association with the Ethics Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award. He started writing articles on legal topics with the St. Mary’s Law Journal, as a law student, and continued writing throughout his career. Some of the articles he published, include: “Ethical Issues in the Employment Arena”; Grievances and How to Avoid Them, Including Ethical Considerations”; “Demand Letters and Responses” plus other articles in the areas of Torts/Products Liability.
Judge Ramon loves to teach, and started teaching business law as an Adjunct Professor at The University of Texas—Pan American in1996, and is still teaching today. He also taught as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Reynaldo Garza School of Law from 1988 to 1991 in the areas of evidence, civil procedures, and trial advocacy. As a professor, he inspired many of his students to study law.
Some of his ex-students are now judges, attorneys, and law students. He said, “Education is the key to continued economic prosperity for our region. Prior to assuming the bench, I have worked for the Reynaldo Garza Law School, and supported efforts by Texas Tech University and the University of Houston to establish a law school in The Valley. We also need a medical school, a dental school, and other professional schools in The Valley.”
The seeds of success for Judge Ramon were planted early, even before he was born. A 1940 tragic accident would help shape his life. His Grandfather, Jose Ramon, Sr., and five family members died in Alamo, Texas in what is considered the worst train-truck accident in the State of Texas.
Forty agricultural workers on their way to work in a truck were run over by a train—34 were killed—only six survived. Judge Ramon’s father should have been in that truck, but his father made him stay at home that day to get a haircut. His life was miraculously spared.
Mr. Israel Ramon, Sr., who was 14 years at the time of the accident, worked with his Sister Natalia R. Cortez (The Mother of McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez) to help their mother raise seven other brothers and sisters. As a truck driver Mr. Ramon, Sr. also raised six of his own children.
The Judge’s Father had an effectively, unique way of motivating his children to get an education. All six of his sons and daughters attended college, and only one did not graduate with a bachelor’s, or higher college degree. Judge Ramon’s work ethic was deeply influenced by his Father.
He says, “My Father took me to cotton fields and tomato fields to do agricultural work. He encouraged me to shine shoes, distributed flyers, sell fruit and eggs door-to-door, and to work in the family gas station, convenience store, and car lot.”
This work ethic helped Judge Ramon support his way through college, though he still got some help from loans, grants, and scholarships. Mr. Israel Ramon, Sr. died two days after his son’s election.
Judge Ramon is now happily married to Rosemary. They have three children who are excelling in school—with a different, but effective, type of motivation than The Judge learned from his Father.
Born and raised in the Weslaco Area to Mr. Israel Ramon, Sr. and Catalina Garcia Ramon, The Judge attended Joan of Arc Catholic School with the intent of becoming a priest. He later graduated from Weslaco High School with honors. He graduated with honors from St. Mary’s University with a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies in 1974, and enrolled at the St. Mary’s Law School where he earned his law degree in 1977.
The Judge said, “I am living my dreams. I have a wonderful family, and look forward to grandchildren soon. My dream was to have a family, practice law, become a professor, and become a judge. I am living life to the fullest. In the courtroom, my philosophy is that everyone should have their day in court, and everyone is treated with respect regardless of status, race, color, or creed.”
