Justice Lori I. Valenzuela was the former judge of the 437th Criminal District Court where she presided from 2009 until she was appointed to the 4th Court of Appeals in January 2021. Raised in a military family, she takes great pride in co-founding and presiding over a Felony Veteran’s Treatment Court while serving as a trial judge. Prior to her tenure on the bench, Justice Valenzuela served as a Bexar County Assistant District Attorney, established a law practice concentrating in criminal defense, and worked as a county magistrate.

 

Justice Valenzuela is an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is a past chair of the Texas Center for the Judiciary Board of Directors and was previously appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas as chair of the Court Reporter Advisory Committee. Her prior board experience includes the Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee, Bexar County Juvenile Board, St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home, Family Service Association, Boy Scouts of America Executive Board, and the Child Fatality Review Board. Additionally, she is a Life Fellow of both the San Antonio Bar Foundation and the Texas Bar Foundation.

 

Justice Valenzuela received her Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas at Austin and her Juris Doctor degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. She is married to R. Sean McCleskey and they are the proud parents of three children.

 

Experience

Justice, 4th Court of Appeals, January 2021-present

Judge, 437th Judicial District Court, 2009-2021

Co-Founder and Presiding Judge, Felony Veteran’s Treatment Court

County Magistrate

Bexar Co. D.A.’s Office; 9 Years Prosecuting Baby Death Cases, Murders & Violent Crimes

First Chair, Family Violence Unit

Established law practice concentrating on criminal defense

 

Background & Education

University of Texas at Austin, B.A.

St. Mary’s University, School of Law, J.D.

Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation and San Antonio Bar Foundation

Adjunct Professor, UTSA

 

Current and Past Community & Professional Organizations

Chair, Texas Center for the Judiciary Board of Directors

The William S. Sessions-American Inn of Court, Member

St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home, Chair-Board of Directors

Court Reporter Advisory Committee, Chair

Boy Scouts of America Executive Board, Member

Family Service Association, Board Member

Child Fatality Review Board, Member

Abiding Presence Lutheran Day School, Board Member

San Antonio Bar Association

Bexar Co. Women’s Bar Association

Mexican American Bar Association

Holy Spirit Catholic Church

 

Personal

Married to R. Sean McCleskey, a law enforcement officer

Mother of 3 Children

Daughter of Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Alfred & Esther Valenzuela

 

For more information on Justice Lori Valenzuela, visit: https://www.votevalenzuela.com/