Visit our Civics Gallery here!
Civics is an excellent way for your children to learn first – hand how our political system is organized and about the inner workings of multiple occupations. We have lively discussions at all of our classes as we interact with our speakers. During the Civics classes, we hear from elected officials or prominent leaders who serve our communities. Please arrive early to mingle with our guests and attendees.
Email Gale at hopegale50@gmail.com with any questions about the FEAST Civics Program. Civics is a free class for parents and students of all ages. Dress code is modest business casual.
FEAST Civics Class with Salad Potluck
Attendees should bring a salad with their preferred dressing. We will meet at Grace Baptist Church at 1801 Thorain Blvd, San Antonio, Texas 78201 at 9:45 am. Space is extremely limited. Regular attendees will have seating preferences. If you RSVP and can not attend, it is imperative that you notify us so that we may contact and seat other families. Join us at the free FEAST Civics class with salad potluck. Please RSVP today on the website and to Gale Sayers at Hopegale50@gmail.com with your lunch selection.
Former Speaker Biographies
Mark Collins as General George Washington and Judge Juanita Vasquez-Gardner– Chief of Misdemeanor Division for the Bexar County District Attorney’s office
Have you met George Washington?
With his snowy white hair and 6’ 4’’ frame, Mark Collins bears a remarkable resemblance to our 
founding father, George Washington. Having the same build and general appearance as the famous statesman has proven to be fortunate for Collins, he has been asked to portray Washington both on TV and in movies, most recently in “National Treasure: Book of Secrets.” With six children of his own, Mark’s first love remains the teaching of children in the classroom. If you could ask George Washington a question, what would it be? He especially loves to field questions from children as part of the presentation.
Mark Collins as George Washington has been married to his wife, Devy for 37 years. He has six children (ages 28 yrs-13yrs). He has six grandchildren. He is the Pastor of First Baptist Yorktown, Texas.
Mark Collins has served as Guest Speaker at:
Gov Perry’s Prayer Breakfast
Republican State Conventions – TX OK SC
Republican National Convention – Minneapolis MN
National Cathedral Washington DC
National Day of Prayer Focus On the Family – CO
Mt Vernon Plantation – VA
Kimbell Theater Colonial Williamsburg
Pro-Family Legislators Conference, Dallas TX
Numerous Conservative and Republican events Nationally
Sagemont Church Houston, Tx
Film: The Revolution (13 part Mini-Series) – History Channel, National Treasure II, Hunting the Lost Symbol- The Discovery Channel, Revelation the movie 2015, George Washington the Warrior (2008), Behold A Pale Horse – Heartland Pictures (summer 2011), Deadliest Warrior – Spike TV, Revelation the trilogy 2018, “No time to run to” be released in theaters spring of 2020.
Judge Juanita Vasquez-Gardner is the Chief of the Misdemeanor Division. She is responsible for managing the Misdemeanor Division Assistant District Attorneys in thirteen County Courts at Law including specialty courts. She ensures the efficient operation of the Division.
In January 2015- December 2018, she served as the Chief Administrative Attorney and was responsible for managing the legal, financial and personnel administrative operations for the District Attorney’s office.
From January 2013- December 2014, she was the Staff Attorney for Criminal District Court Judges. She assisted, advised and conducted legal research for judges; reviewed orders and correspondence to judges from Courts of Appeals (including Court of Criminal Appeals and the Western District of Texas) and responded accordingly; represented judges in mandamus and contempt proceedings; prepared jury charges; and prepared judges’ Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law on Applications for Writs of Habeas Corpus.
In September 2000- December 2001, she was the Judge of the 399th District Court for the State Of Texas where she presided over felony criminal cases. Her duties included: jury trials; bench trials; probation revocation hearings; evidentiary hearings; pre- and post-trial hearings; and special assignments to attorney disciplinary and contempt hearings throughout the state of Texas. From January 2008- December 2016, Judge Vasquez-Gardner served as a member of the Committee of Authors on the Texas Criminal Pattern Jury Charges Committee (State of TX). She had been appointed by the President of the State Bar of Texas to provide guidance and input to the Committee responsible for the publication of modem Texas Criminal Pattern Jury Charges used throughout the State of Texas. She served admirably.
In November 1989 -August 2000, she was the First Chair Prosecutor of the 290th District Court as an employee of the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office (SanAntonio, TX). She was assigned to Misdemeanor, Family Violence, Felony, Intake (Felony and Misdemeanor), Juvenile, and Drug and Violent Task Force sections. Her responsibilities as a Prosecutor included the presentation of cases to Grand Jury; pre-trial hearings; and trial preparation and presentation of cases to juries and judge. She conducted 115 jury trials which included Capital Murder, Murder, Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, Aggravated Robbery, and Possession of Controlled Substances cases.
Judge Vasquez-Gardner was educated at the University of Texas School of Law (Austin, Texas where she received the Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in May 1989. She attended the University of Texas at San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas) graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Criminal Justice in August 1985. She is a proud graduate of Robert G. Cole, Jr. Sr. High School (Fort Sam Houston, Texas).
Juanita’s community involvement includes serving at the Family Justice Center, as an Advisory Board Member. She is a member of the University of Texas at San Antonio Alumni Association and the Cimarron Homeowner’s Association. Judge Vasquez- Gardner is a parishioner at St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church. She is a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign Wars. Juanita is married and has one child.
Karen Harris of Austin is owner and CEO of Proton Mechanical Systems, which provides delivery of radiology medical services. She and her husband have owned and operated radiology medical service businesses in Texas for more than 25 years. She is the Chaplin for Safe Harbor Compliance, founder of Medicine for the Heart Ministries, Inc., and a former prayer ministry team leader at Summit Worship Center. She is a former gubernatorial appointee to the Health and Human Services Council and served as an appointee to the advisory committee to the Texas Education Agency for Academic Achievement Distinction. Harris received an Associate of Science in radiologic science from Virginia Commonwealth University – Medical College. Additionally, she is an ordained minister with training in Christian counseling from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and the Therapon Institute.
Justice Beth Watkins was elected to Place 2 on the Fourth Court of Appeals in 2018. Before joining the Court, she represented clients in more than 200 appeals to state and federal appellate courts, including the United States Supreme Court, the Texas Supreme Court, the United States Court of 
Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and most intermediate appellate courts in Texas. Justice Watkins has been Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law since 2008.
Justice Watkins is a committed community servant. She is a Past President of the San Antonio Bar Association, San Antonio Bar Foundation, and Community Justice Foundation. She has served on the State Bar of Texas Grievance Committee, the Amicus Committee of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and the Boards of Directors of the San Antonio Trial Lawyers Association and St. Mary’s Law Alumni Association. She is a Life Fellow of both the San Antonio Bar Foundation and Texas Bar Foundation. She currently serves on the Board of Editors for the Texas Bar Journal.
In addition, Justice Watkins has held several teaching positions at her alma mater, St. Mary’s University School of Law. From 2005 through 2008, she served as the Associate Director of the Office of Academic Excellence. She also taught legal research and writing to first-year law students from 2006 to 2016. And from 2015 until 2017, she served as the law school’s Institutional Legal Research Manager.
Justice Watkins was born and raised in San Antonio. She enjoys her hometown’s vibrant arts, culture, and restaurant scene. In her free time, she loves to visit far-flung locales and experience new and different cultures.
Willie Ng
Prior to joining the Bexar County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, Willie served the great city of San Antonio with the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) for 22 years. During his time with SAPD, Willie started as a Patrol Officer patrolling all areas of San Antonio, then served as a Detective Investigator where he investigated various criminal offenses in the Repeat Offenders Program (ROP), Financial Crimes Unit and worked with the United States Secret Service where he was deputized as a Special Federal Deputy Marshal. Willie’s in-depth training as a law enforcement professional ranges from Hand-to-Hand Combat & Self-Defense, Hand-Written Forgery, Counterfeit Currency & Credit Card Fraud, to Lie Detection, Narcotics, and Emergency Management training by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Willie has a Master Certification in Law Enforcement by the State of Texas.
While serving with the San Antonio Police Department, Willie realized the need for support for Police Officers in the way of providing security to various businesses and residential communities. In 2003, Willie founded Blue Armor Security Services, Inc., and serves as owner, President, and Chief Executive Officer. Willie is leading, guiding and overseeing the performance of the organization. Willie sets the direction and drives the company’s strategic plans, mission, vision and values of the company, as well as leading business development and fiscal operations. Willie determines the company’s overarching goals and initiatives. As a local industry leader, Blue Armor Security Services, Inc. has provided approximately 300 jobs in the San Antonio area and has been consistently recognized by the San Antonio Business Journal as one of the Largest Minority Companies in San Antonio and by Inc. 5000 as One of the Fastest Growing Companies in America. Blue Armor Security Services, Inc. was recently awarded Small Business of the Year by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2015, among others, respectively.
In addition to public service and economic development, Willie is tireless in his efforts to serve the community in non-profit work. Encouraging the children and future leaders of our community is invaluable to Willie. As the former interim Chief Executive Officer of JOVEN, Inc. (Juvenile Outreach Vocational Education Network), Willie restructured the non-profit organization through a financially challenging state and lead the organization to greater funding and support where it’s thriving today.
As alumni of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio where Willie received his Master of Public Administration, he has established three graduate-level scholarships, The Willie Ng Master of Public Administration Scholarship, The Dr. Charles Cottrell Scholarship and The Dr. Henry Flores Scholarship. Higher education is a passion of Willie’s, and he continues to provide financial support for educational initiatives through various scholarships throughout the community. Willie is currently studying at the University of the Incarnate Word to obtain his Doctorate in Leadership Studies. Supporting local business and community leaders is important to Willie. Currently serving on the Executive Board of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and as Chair of Membership, Willie provides support and active recruitment of members, as well as serving in various capacities on behalf of the organization. Additionally, Willie serves as Board Member of the San Antonio Education Partnership. Willie serves as Pilar IV Support Council Member, Reducing Violence and Recidivism of My Brother’s Keeper San Antonio and Willie is a Co-Founder of the Maestro Entrepreneur Center and Maestro Leadership Development. Willie is a member of the Advisory Council for the Latino Coalition national organization advising on International Affairs and Homeland Security. Willie serves on the Advisory Board with the Urban Soccer Leadership Academy (USLA).
As a consummate professional public servant, Willie provides consulting and support to local educational and non-profit organizations, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and law enforcement. Willie regularly speaks about education initiatives, business leadership, economic development and modern law enforcement throughout South Texas. Willie received the coveted award of the 2017 State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for Professional Achievement by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).
In 2016, Willie received the ASIS International Award for Exemplary Service to the Community and Law Enforcement. As a result of his incessant passion for public service, Willie established The Willie Ng Family Foundation, which will provide a diversity of support to people and animals throughout the community with various needs. Willie’s devotion and tenacity to Bexar County and the city of San Antonio are evident in his life’s work, and Willie continues to strive to enhance the future of our community for current and future generations.
As State Representative for the 61st District, Phil King represents the people of Parker and Wise counties in the Texas Legislature. He has earned a reputation as a principle-driven conservative who consistently provides key leadership in passing some of Texas’ most sweeping public policy legislation.
King serves on the National Board of Directors for the American Legislative Exchange Council and was the 2015 National Chair. He also chairs ALEC’s Center for Innovation and Technology. King also serves on the Board of Directors of the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute. In the Texas House, King chairs the Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee and serves on the Energy Resources Committee.
Phil was a police officer for 15 years and continues to serve in the Texas State Guard. He is a practicing attorney and small business owner. Representative King and his family have been active members of Trinity Bible Church since 1984. Phil and his wife Terry are the proud parents of six children, nine granddaughters, and five grandsons.
The son of Thomas and Linda Newell, David was born at the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, though he grew up in Sugar Land, Texas with his much taller, older brother, Robert Newell. David graduated cum laude from William P. Clements High School. He earned his undergraduate degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing at the University of Houston. He graduated magna cum laude, earning University honors and honors in his major. He received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1997 before returning home to work in the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office. He served as an appellate prosecutor for 16 years, first in Fort Bend County and later in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office from 2007 until his election to the Court.
Judge David Newell has twice served as the Chairman of the Editorial Board for the Texas District and County Attorney’s bi-monthly journal, The Texas Prosecutor. He also co-authored a regular byline for the journal, “As the Judges Saw It,” a column that analyzed and summarized the significant decisions of the Court of Criminal Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. He served repeatedly on the planning committee for the Advanced Criminal Law Course for the State Bar of Texas and he has presented the Court of Criminal Appeals Update at the Texas Conference on Criminal Appeals, the TDCAA Criminal and Civil Law Update, and the Texas State Bar’s Advanced Criminal Law Course.
Judge Newell is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both criminal law and criminal appellate law. He is also licensed by the State Bar of Texas and admitted to practice before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. In 2013, David received the C. Chris Marshall Award for Distinguished Faculty from the Texas District and County Attorneys’ Association. David and his beautiful wife, Shayne, currently live in the Houston area with their two sons.
Judge Melisa Skinner is a 6th generation Texan who was born and raised in San Antonio. She attended Providence High School, the University of Texas at Austin and St. Mary’s School of Law, graduating with honors from all three. Judge Skinner was licensed to practice law in 1993 and began practicing criminal law as a solo practitioner. In 1994, she became an Assistant Criminal District Attorney for the County of Bexar. She then served the community for almost 15 years as a prosecutor representing the State of Texas against those accused of crimes ranging from misdemeanor offenses to cases in which the State sought the death penalty. She was honored as Best Lawyer in Prosecution in 2006, 2009 and 2010 before she was elected as Judge of the 290th Judicial District Court. As the judge of the 290th District Court, she has presided over every type of felony offense, including multiple Capital Murder cases. Judge Skinner has extensive experience in the area of criminal law as a trial lawyer and now, as a State District Court Judge.
Mr. Grant Moody is delighted to spend time sharing about his recent trip to Israel. Mr. Moody’s topic is Israel: Our Partner in the Middle East. He recently traveled to Israel and will share much exciting news. 
Mr. Moody will capture your heart.
Grant is a business executive at a large military financial services firm headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. He previously served 10 years on active duty as a Marine F-18 pilot with combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He continues to serve as a Major in the Marine Reserves. Since leaving active duty, Grant has been politically active supporting veterans for public office. In 2017, he was appointed by Texas Gov Greg Abbott to serve on the Texas Veterans Land Board alongside Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Soldiers’ Angels a national non-profit. Grant is a distinguished graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. in Quantitative Economics. He also holds an M.S. in Statistics from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School. Grant is married with 3 young children. They reside in San Antonio.
Home should be a safe place but for many in our community, it’s not. When dysfunction in a family, household or dating relationship becomes violent, people in Bexar County often find themselves in County Court #13, a court dedicated to bringing justice to domestic violence cases.
I’m Crystal Chandler, Judge of County Court #13. I see this court as integral to the health and safety of our community because it affords the judge an opportunity to address the root causes of domestic abuse and works to stop the sometimes deadly cycle of domestic violence.
Raised by my grandmother in a small Texas town with a single blinking yellow light in humble conditions, I knew that to make it in life I had to focus on getting an education. At sixteen, I moved to San Antonio and upon graduating from Winston Churchill High School, I put myself through college at The University of the Incarnate Word where I graduated with honors. I was the first person in my family to obtain a college degree. I attended law school at St. Mary’s University and began my career in public service because I wanted to help create change for those who may have come from similar backgrounds.
I took the bench in 2015 with a deep commitment to public service and extensive criminal law experience, having spent 2 years as a judicial briefing attorney at Texas’ highest criminal court, and more than 15 years as a prosecutor with the Bexar County Criminal District Attorney’s office.
As a felony trial prosecutor, I spent several years specializing in the prosecution of domestic violence murders, death and serious child abuse cases, sex crimes against children and other violent crimes. As an appellate prosecutor, I handled these cases before the appellate courts, including the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. While a prosecutor, I also sought other ways to help people. I taught criminal justice classes at San Antonio College where I encouraged my students to believe in themselves and to strive for the extraordinary. I helped found a national human trafficking organization – Chapter 61 Ministries (now known as Truckers Against Trafficking) – a world recognized anti-human trafficking non-profit.
As a former felony trial and appellate prosecutor specializing in the field of criminal family violence and child abuse, and while serving as judge of County Court #13, I’ve met with thousands of victims, defendants, and their families. I have personally witnessed the impact family violence has had on them. It’s this hands-on experience during my 20 years of practicing criminal law that allows me to identify how to help ensure the safety of victims while taking a comprehensive approach with defendants by imposing just sentences and providing tools to help them change their pattern of behavior.
As a judge, I have handled over 7,000 cases, presided over more than 60 jury trials, cleared the case backlog, ensured that police are aware of orders of protection as bond conditions on violent offenders and enforced compliance of firearm surrenders in domestic violence cases. I’ve also created two initiatives at no additional cost to the taxpayers that help young adults and people with mental illness get their lives back on track. I routinely speak about family violence and human trafficking. I am a member of several legal and community organizations, including the Bexar County Task Force on Family Violence. I have been married to my husband, Scott Zimmerer, for nearly 20 years and am the proud parent of two wonderful teenage sons, Luke and Thomas. We are also part of the Community Bible Church family. Bexar County is our home and I want to make a positive difference.
Domestic violence affects all members of our Bexar County community, and County Court #13 is about making home a safe place for every person in every family.
Thank you.
Pete Flores is the Senator for Texas Senate District 19. Pete was born and raised in South Texas and is a lifelong public servant: he served the state of Texas as a Game Warden for 27 years, rising to the rank of Colonel. His District stretches across west Texas from San Antonio to Pecos, sharing hundreds of miles with Mexico’s border. As a State Senator, Pete Flores plans to secure the border and work with other state leaders to enact policies that promote job creation and respect conservative values. Pete Flores currently resides in Pleasanton, TX with his wife of 36 years, Elizabeth.
Chip Roy is a genuine and principled conservative running to represent the 21st Congressional District in Texas. Chip’s
Texas roots date back to the 1850s when his family settled in Central Texas, near Dripping Springs. Chip is a graduate of the University of Virginia and holds a law degree from the University of Texas.
Chip worked as an investment-banking analyst with NationsBanc Capital Markets and is a former federal prosecutor. Chip has served as general counsel to Sen. John Cornyn and held several top leadership positions for Texas elected officials, including the First Assistant Attorney General of Texas under Ken Paxton, Chief of Staff to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and senior advisor to Texas Gov. Rick Perry—and serving as his director for State-Federal Relations.
Previously, Chip served as the Vice President of Strategy for the Texas Public Policy Foundation. In that role, Chip helped spearhead Life: Powered, TPPF’s major initiative to change the national dialogue on energy and promote the use of affordable and reliable fossil fuels.
Currently, Chip serves as general counsel for Brigham Resources, an oil and gas company headquartered in Austin,
Texas. In this role, Chip advocates for responsible energy production empowers clients to provide reliable energy at an affordable price through the free market and is a champion of American energy independence.
Most importantly, Chip is a dedicated husband and father. He is married to Carrah Roy and they live in Austin, TX with their two young children Charlie and Virginia.
Meet Christi Craddick. Christi Craddick is in the forefront of the newest wave of pragmatic conservatives in leadership roles across Texas. Raised in a strong conservative household, retained as legal counsel by prominent Texas firms, and shaped by more than a decade as a trusted political adviser, Christi has set a clear standard of integrity, self-reliance and innovation in her role as Chairman at the Railroad Commission of Texas.
Since her tenure on the Commission began in November 2012, Craddick has pushed to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of an energy industry that is driving the state’s unparalleled economic success. In the process, she has repeatedly proven that sensible regulations, careful listening and plain talk can foster innovation that has solidified Texas leadership in the energy sector.
Making it a top priority, Christi has worked to educate the public about the oil and gas industry and its impact in Texas. She has fought against Washington’s one-size-fits-all environmental policies that would kill jobs and stifle energy production growth. Christi has advocated for recycling in the oilfields, helping to drive the percentage of reclaimed water upwards, an essential achievement in a state enduring a multi-year drought.
As part of her efforts to modernize the agency, Christi has championed an Information Technology overhaul for the Commission, seeking improvements that would upgrade the Geographic Information System, increase public access to the agency’s data, and speed up inspections and permitting times.
A native of Midland, Christi earned both her Bachelor’s Degree as a Plan II graduate and her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from The University of Texas at Austin. During her career as an attorney, she specialized in oil and gas, water, tax issues, electric deregulation and environmental policy.
Following the example of her father and mother, Craddick has been drawn to public service and politics. As president of a grassroots advocacy firm, she took the lead on work in coalition building in the public policy arena and development and implementation of issue strategies.
Christi serves her community as an active member of organizations including the State Bar of Texas, University of Texas Liberal Arts Alumni Advisory Council, and Dell Children’s Medical Center Foundation. Christi resides in Austin with her daughter, Catherine, and is an active member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church.
Tommy Stolhandske is the judge of the Bexar County Court at Law No. 11. He was elected in 2014 and took office January 1, 2015. Judge Stolhandske has heard thousands of criminal cases and presided over many jury trials. In addition to his regular court, Judge Stolhandske also presides over the Bexar County Adult Drug Court, which is a special court that provides judicial intervention by supervising the highest risk and highest need offenders suffering from drug addictions in Bexar County. He was born and raised in San Antonio and is a graduate of Churchill High School. Stolhandske earned an undergraduate degree from Texas Lutheran University, where he was a three-time All-American basketball player and then went on to receive his J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Stolhandske worked as an attorney in Bexar County from 2009 until his judicial election in 2014. He is a husband and is a father to a beautiful 3-year-old daughter with a son due in December. Judge Stolhandske loves sports and is a die-hard fan of the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Cubs!
Ken Mercer, Board Term: Jan. 1, 2017 – Jan. 1, 2021
Ken Mercer is a technology project manager, as well as a former member of the Texas House of Representatives.
Mercer, a Republican, was elected to State Board of Education in November 2006 and re-elected in 2010, 2012 and 2016. He is currently a member of the Committee on School Finance/Permanent School Fund. The committee’s duties include overseeing the Permanent School Fund, the nation’s largest education endowment.
During his tenure on the board, he has also served as chair of the board’s Committee on School Initiatives, vice chair of the board’s Committee on School Initiatives and vice chair of the board’s Committee on Instruction.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from The University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Business Administration from UT-San Antonio. He also has a Master’s of Business Administration in finance and management from St. Mary’s University. Mercer was a member of the Delta Mu Delta Graduate Business Honor Society.
The former state representative served as an advisor to the governor as a member of the state Homeland Security Council, He has also served on the State Republican Executive Committee
Mercer was named 2005 Alumnus of the Year by UTSA and was given the Distinguished Legislator Award by the Texas Republican House Caucus. In 2003, the San Antonio Police Officer’s Association named Mercer the Legislator of the Year.
Mercer represents the following counties: Blanco, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Kerr, Llano, Mason, San Saba and parts of Bexar and Travis counties.
Judge Daphne Previti Austin
When the Honorable Daphne Previti Austin was elected to the 289th District Court in 2014, she saw a need for a boys mental health court. Bexar County already had a national award-winning specialty court to serve girls that were started by the Honorable Laura Parker but there wasn’t an equivalent program for boys. She is pleased that her court was awarded the first grant for which they applied and has now started the first juvenile boys’ mental health court in the country.
Judge Previti Austin began her advocacy career in the St. Mary’s University Law School Clinic for Legal and Social Justice when she wrote an appellate brief and argued before the Fourth Court of Appeals and prevailed. She quit while she was ahead and continued with a courtroom practice. She spent many years at the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office and several years as a solo practitioner concentrating on Criminal and Juvenile defense in State and Federal Court. She became Board Certified in Juvenile Law in 2002.
Judge Scott Roberts
Judge Scott Roberts- Judge, County Court at Law #12, Bexar County, Texas, 2011
Education:
– Southwest Texas State University, B.S. in Education, 1984
– St. Mary’s University School of Law, J.D., 1989
– Texas State University, M.A. in History, 2009
Professional:
– Judge, County Court at Law #12, Bexar County, Texas, 2011 – current
– Assistant District Attorney, Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, 1998 – 2010
– Solo Law Practice, 1996 – 1998
– Briefing Attorney, Fourth Court of Appeals, Justice Phil Hardberger, 1994 – 1996
– Associate, Law Offices of Pat Maloney, 1990 – 1994
– Briefing Attorney, Supreme Court of Texas, Justice Lloyd Doggett, 1989 – 1990
– Teacher, Pleasanton High School, Pleasanton, Texas, 1985 – 1986
Personal:
– Married to Lisa Hollas-Roberts, almost 30 years
– Two children: Laura (22) Senior at Baylor University, and Matthew (18) Senior at Churchill High School
– Two cats: Patty and Mike
– Parishioners at St. Matthew Catholic Church
