Angélica Jiménez: A Journey of Service

By Natalie Wilson

Angélica Jiménez’s ascension to the 408th District Court was the fulfillment of a life-long ambition. She first knew in elementary school that she wanted to become a judge. Angélica was cast as Rosa Parks’ attorney in a school play based on the life of Rosa Parks. When the young actors discussed the various roles, young Angélica realized that the judge was the person with the most power to effect change in the scenario. This school play was Angélica’s first exposure to the legal profession. She grew up in Eagle Pass, where her father owned a bakery. Her mother stayed home with Angélica and her brother, Luis, until Angélica was in elementary school. Angélica’s mom then went back to school and became a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Both parents instilled in Angélica the belief that education was the key to improving their own lives and the lives of those around them.

Nevertheless, Angélica did not have a straight path to achieving her ultimate goal. After earning her undergraduate degree in Spanish Literature and History, Angélica married Javier Espinoza. They met as undergraduates at the University of Texas at Austin, working on a student-led outreach project called Helping Everyone Reach Opportunity and Education (HEROE), which was dedicated to mentoring and tutoring high school students in low-income areas. Javier’s career goals also included the law, but the couple could not afford to attend law school at the same time. Javier hit the books first, while Angélica pursued a career in corporate finance, and they started their family. By 2007, Javier’s legal career was thriving, so Angélica enrolled at St. Mary’s University School of Law, where she excelled and graduated in 2010.

Following graduation, Angélica’s career path turned in a dramatically different direction from her banking days. After working at a small firm, she opened the firm of Figueroa & Jiménez with Laura Figueroa. Angélica focused on Family Law matters, while Figueroa practiced Immigration Law.

While in private practice, Angélica’s best days were always adoption days. She was thrilled and energized by the joyous culmination of the hope, love, and hard work that went into forming forever families. In less happy circumstances, Angélica approached her cases with a particular end goal. She focused not just on the hearing or trial, but on the bond that her clients would have with their children once they had grown up. She always counseled clients to make decisions that would solidify and enhance their relationships with their children by preserving a sense of love, safety, and stability, in spite of the disruption of a divorce.

Figueroa and Jiménez enjoyed practicing law together, but both had aspirations of judicial service, although they thought it would take some time for those goals to come to fruition. As it turns out, both women took the bench much sooner than they anticipated.

When Judge Larry Noll announced that he was retiring, Angélica felt that it was the right time to throw her hat into the ring. She entered a crowded Democratic primary, with five serious contenders. Despite the competition, the primary contest was remarkably positive. Angélica recalls that the primary did not feel like a rivalry; the candidates all knew each other and trusted that they all wanted to serve the community in the best way possible. The candidates focused on their own strengths and on building support without engaging in the negative campaigning one might expect from such a crowded field.

Entering such a packed race, Angélica knew that she would have to work incredibly hard to stand out and gain name recognition. She focused a lot of her energy on meeting non-lawyers because she was already very active in the bar. At the beginning, she was terrified of block-walking and having to make her pitch to strangers. That turned out to be her favorite part of the campaign, however. She recalls those long days fondly, recounting that it was a fun and energizing experience, even when she literally walked holes in the soles of her shoes. In the conversations she had with complete strangers, Angélica realized what a small community San Antonio is and how closely we are connected. The hard work paid off, and Angélica was elected to the 408th District Court in November 2016. Shortly thereafter, her former law partner became an Immigration Judge.

Judge Jiménez with her predecessor on the 408th District Court, Judge Larry Noll.

Judge Antonio Arteaga caught Judge Jiménez working late … on her own birthday!

Adoption Days were Judge Jiménez’s favorite days as a lawyer, and that has not changed since she took the bench.

Judge Jiménez was sworn in by two trailblazing Latina Judges—Alma Lopez, former Chief Judge of the Fourth Court of Appeals, and Rebeca Martinez, the current Chief Judge of the Fourth Court of Appeals.

Judge Jiménez surrounded by her family at her swearing in. From left to right: daughter Yessica, son Luis Javier, Judge Jiménez, daughter Dulce, and husband Javier Espinoza.

Judge Jiménez with her proud parents, who instilled in her a love of learning and an unparalleled work ethic.

Judge Jiménez swearing in new lawyers at St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Photos courtesy of Angélica Jiménez.

Angélica was sworn in on January 1, 2017, and got right to work handling a busy docket. Although she was prepared for hard work, she quickly learned that being a judge was even more work and more stress than she had anticipated. But it was also a lot more gratifying than she had ever imagined. The camaraderie of the judges helped with the learning curve, and she deeply appreciates the willingness of the judges to assist each other.

Like all Civil Bexar County District Judges, most of the cases Angélica hears are family cases. She still approaches them with the goal of preserving healthy family dynamics and encourages litigants and advocates to reach as many consensual decisions as possible. Of course, adoption days are still the best days, and Angélica really enjoys being a part of those occasions.

Angélica was up for re-election in 2020. The public health restrictions imposed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic prevented her from traditional campaign activities for most of the election cycle. She was fortunate in that she did not have opponents in either the primary or general elections.

The pandemic did not wreak havoc with her re-election campaign, but it certainly affected how she operated on a daily basis. When courts were initially shut down in March 2020, it was assumed they would reopen in a few weeks or possibly a few months. Angélica was already on the Central Jury Bailiff Committee and the Civil Jury Assignment Committee, so she was a natural appointment to the committee formed to determine how to hold virtual hearings or deal with the courts’ expected case backlog. As it became clear that the shutdown would continue for a significant period, the policies, procedures, and resources to conduct court business remotely became essential. The hard work of the judges, court staff, and attorneys paid off. In short order, the Bench and the Bar grew accustomed—even adept—at using technology for remote hearings.

In December 2020, Angélica presided over the first virtual civil jury trial that went to verdict in Bexar County. Some jurors were initially uncomfortable with the technology, but after about half a day and some one-on-one remote training, everyone was ready to proceed. Angélica’s face lights up like a proud parent when she discusses the commitment of those jurors and their openness to serving remotely.

By necessity, the pandemic spurred an enormous change in the way we practice law, and even as we return to “normal,” Angélica notes that many of those changes were positive. The jurors who participated in the remote trial reported that they felt better able to assess the evidence and witnesses because they could see everything up close, instead of from across the room. Virtual hearings have also decreased fees and expenses for clients. She notes that, after Hurricane Harvey, courts along the Gulf Coast were adversely affected for months, creating a significant backlog. Those effects might have been alleviated by employing remote proceedings, had we known then what we know now. Although it will be up to the Supreme Court of Texas or the legislature to continue authorizing remote proceedings generally or in limited circumstances, Angélica thinks that we have learned valuable lessons and skills that could make the justice system more resilient in future emergencies.

Mexico has long been a favorite travel destination for Judge Jiménez and her family. They enjoy live Mariachi performances, great food, and the vibrant art scene.

Judge Jiménez and her husband, Javier, are proud that their children have grown into engaged and politically active young adults. One of their favorite trips was to New York City, where the whole family caught Hamilton on Broadway.

In addition to her regular duties, in 2019, Angélica (with Judge Rosie Alvarado), took over the judicial function of the PEARLS Court, which was started by former Judge Renée Yanta in 2015. “PEARLS” is an acronym for Preparation, Esteem, Achievement, Resiliency, Learning, Strength, and Stamina and was borne out of Judge Yanta’s frustration over the fact that the judicial system was failing children in the foster system. The alumnae of the PEARLS Court have wonderful support from mentors and case workers, giving them a greater chance of academic success and bright futures. Angélica’s connection to the young women in the PEARLS Court is deeply personal. Many of the young women served by the PEARLS Court are the same age as her children were when she started with the PEARLS Court. In many ways, the work of the PEARLS Court is similar to the mission of the HEROE program that Angélica cofounded as an undergraduate.

Angélica and Javier have three children together—Luis Javier, Dulce, and Yessica. Angélica and Javier are mostly enjoying the transition to empty nesting—their children are driven, excited, and passionate about their futures. The family enjoys traveling together, recently spending time in Europe and Mexico. Angélica and Javier travel to Mexico frequently and are avid art collectors. They have many beautiful pieces, but Angélica’s favorite is a piece depicting Freda Kahlo that the couple purchased on one of their first trips to Tlquepaque, Guadalajara. It evokes memories of their stay in the town, which they loved, and represents to Angélica the sacrifices that she and Javier made to build their life together.

Angélica is thoroughly embracing this season of her life. She has fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a judge. Her children are thriving and launching into the world. She and Javier are enjoying the fruits of many years of labor. But mostly, she is grateful to have an opportunity to serve the people of Bexar County.

Natalie Wilson is a Shareholder at Langley & Banack, Inc. She leads the firm’s Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Privacy practice group and is Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.