The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX
Doctor of Jurisprudence - December 2006
Editor-in-Chief - Texas Hispanic Journal of Law & Policy
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill, NC
Bachelor of Arts in Economics - May 2000
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science - May 2000
Doctor of Jurisprudence - December 2006
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill, NC
Bachelor of Arts in Economics - May 2000
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science - May 2000
The University of Texas at Brownsville - Brownsville, TX
Certified Public Manager - Institute of Public Service - November 2010
Certified Public Manager - Institute of Public Service - November 2010
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 2
Judge – 2015 - Present
Oversee staff of 4 assistants
Responsible for evictions, small claims suits, criminal citations, and inquests
Conduct bench and jury trials for civil and criminal cases
The Gracia Law Firm - Brownsville & Beeville, TX
Sole Proprietor - Lead Attorney March 2012 - Present
Represent clients in criminal defense, family law, and civil matters
Handle court proceedings: motions to revoke, motions to adjudicate, plea matters, contested hearings, and trial
Oversee staff of three individuals a multi-county area
Cameron County District Attorney's Office - Brownsville, TX
Assistant District Attorney - Felony 2nd Chair October 2009 - March 2012
Assigned to 107th District Court - Prosecutor of felony crimes including, but not limited to: Murder, Burglary, Sexual Assault, Drug and Aggravated offenses
Present cases to grand juries for indictment
Responsible for all pre-trial matters including plea bargains, sentencing negotiations, and evidentiary hearings
Counsel and review cases with law enforcement, probation officers, victims, and witnesses
Assistant District Attorney - Misdemeanor 1st Chair March 2009 - October 2009
Assigned to County Courts at Law #1 and #2 as lead prosecutor of misdemeanor crimes
Supervised 2nd Chair Prosecutor, Investigator, and Paralegal and delegated work to effectively run courts
Prepared and led three cases to jury trial
Assistant District Attorney - Misdemeanor 2nd Chair November 2008 - March 2009
Assigned to County Court at Law #3 - charged with screening, filing, and prosecuting misdemeanor crimes
Tasked with case research, arguing protective orders and motions to suppress
Assisted 1st Chair prosecutor by coordinating with support staff and prosecuting one trial
The Honorable Hilda G. Tagle, United States District Court Judge - Brownsville, TX
Judicial Intern May 2005 - July 2005
Drafted an order in response to a summary judgment motion involving an employment discrimination dispute
Observed trial and general court proceedings on a daily basis
Met research deadlines assigned by judicial clerks
Office of United States Representative Solomon P. Ortiz - Washington, DC
Legislative Assistant January 2003 - May 2004
Researched legislation involving education, labor, civil service, and taxation (including Social Security)
Provided written responses to constituent inquiries concerning Congressional matters
Analyzed proposed legislation and its effects on constituents
Conducted meetings with elected officials, policy makers, and lobbyists to discuss district concerns
Special Projects/Grants Director November 2001 - May 2004
Spearheaded the creation of the Singapore Congressional Caucus, which fostered eventual passage of the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement
Served as the Representative’s liaison to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, thus ensuring that South Texas legislative concerns were addressed at the national level
Tracked judicial nominations and emergency declarations for the district
Wrote letters of support and researched grant funding opportunities for constituents
The City of Port Isabel - Port Isabel, TX
Economic Development Corporation Director September 2000 - November 2001
Administered the daily operation of the P.I.E.D.C. with a yearly budget of $326,000
Applied for and secured awards on 8 grant applications totaling over $800,000
Directed the expansion and retention of businesses in Port Isabel
Served as city liaison for both the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce and the local business community
Interacted with area development boards, councils of government, and various state and federal agencies
National Center for Policy Analysis - Dallas, TX
Research Assistant/Intern August 1999 - December 1999
Researched and analyzed the effects of various public policy initiatives on the U.S. economy
Provided written reports to agency staff
Published article in the Valley Morning Star on the functionality of the light rail system in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
Judge – 2015 - Present
The Gracia Law Firm - Brownsville & Beeville, TX
Sole Proprietor - Lead Attorney March 2012 - Present
Cameron County District Attorney's Office - Brownsville, TX
Assistant District Attorney - Felony 2nd Chair October 2009 - March 2012
Assistant District Attorney - Misdemeanor 1st Chair March 2009 - October 2009
Assistant District Attorney - Misdemeanor 2nd Chair November 2008 - March 2009
The Honorable Hilda G. Tagle, United States District Court Judge - Brownsville, TX
Judicial Intern May 2005 - July 2005
Office of United States Representative Solomon P. Ortiz - Washington, DC
Legislative Assistant January 2003 - May 2004
Special Projects/Grants Director November 2001 - May 2004
The City of Port Isabel - Port Isabel, TX
Economic Development Corporation Director September 2000 - November 2001
National Center for Policy Analysis - Dallas, TX
Research Assistant/Intern August 1999 - December 1999
