RGVEPC: September Meeting "A View From The Bench"
Mixer: 5:30 - 6:00 pm
Dinner/Presentation: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
RSVPs due by Friday, September 17. 2021
Judge JoAnne Garcia
Hidalgo County Probate Court
Judge JoAnne Garcia currently serves as the Presiding Judge of the Hidalgo County Probate Court, a position she was first elected to in 2018. The Hidalgo County Probate Court is a court with original and exclusive jurisdiction over probate matters, guardianship cases, and involuntary mental health commitments. Judge Garcia is one of the first Latina Probate Judges in the State of Texas.
Judge Garcia is a Valley native, having been born in Weslaco, Texas and raised in Pharr. She graduated from PSJA North High School in 2003 as Salutatorian of her class. Judge Garcia then attended the University of Texas Pan American on a full tuition scholarship receiving her B.B.A. in Accounting, Magna Cum Laude, in 2006. Judge Garcia received her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law, and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 2009.
Judge Garcia is active in her community and has served in leadership positions in various civic and professional organizations including District 13 Representative for the Texas Young Lawyers Association; board member of the Hidalgo County Bar Association, where she was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2012; board member of Access Esperanza Clinics and Palm Valley Animal Society; and, the Estate Trust and Fiduciary Trial Law Texas Board of Legal Specialization Committee. She has also received leadership training through acceptance and participation in Leadership State Bar of Texas and Leadership McAllen, Class XXXIV. Judge Garcia also frequently lectures at continuing legal education programs on probate and guardianship matters.
