Gov. Perry Appoints First Hispanic Female to Supreme Court of Texas
October 08, 2009
From the Governor’s Press Office
HOUSTON – Gov. Rick Perry today appointed appellate Justice Eva M.
Guzman of Cypress as the first Hispanic female to serve on the Supreme Court of
Texas for a term to expire at the next general election.
“Justice Guzman is known throughout legal circles as a strict constructionist
with an unmatched work ethic, and has demonstrated a proven record of sound
jurisprudence,” Gov. Perry said. “I am proud to appoint this principled,
conservative judge as the first Hispanic woman on the Supreme Court of Texas.”
Guzman is an associate justice on the 14th Court of Appeals in Houston, where
she has ruled on thousands of civil and criminal appeals, and authored hundreds
of published opinions. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of
Houston Law Center.
She has served in the Texas judiciary for more than a decade as the first
Hispanic female appointed and then elected to the Harris County Family Court,
and then as the first Hispanic female appointed and then elected to the 14th
Court of Appeals. Since her appointment to the 14th Court of Appeals,
Guzman has issued more than 900 opinions.
“I am honored by this appointment and am grateful for the confidence Governor
Perry has shown in me,” Guzman said. “It has been a privilege to serve the
citizens of this region over the last decade, and I look forward to serving all
Texas citizens as a justice on the Texas Supreme Court.”
Guzman was recently recognized by the Hispanic National Bar Association as
Latina Judge of the Year and as 2009 Judge of the Year by the Mexican American
Bar Association of Texas Foundation. She has also been named Appellate Judge of
the Year by P.O.L.I.C.E. Inc. and the Houston Police Officers Union.
Guzman is an elected member of the American Law Institute and an appointed
member of the Supreme Court of Texas Advisory Committee. She is a senior fellow
of the American Leadership Forum Class XXII, and a fellow of the Texas and
Houston Bar foundations. Guzman is also a board member of the South Texas
College of Law Alumni Association, Greater Houston Area Chapter of the American
Red Cross, and Texas Executive Women.
Guzman received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and law
degree from South Texas College of Law. She is married to Houston Police
Sergeant Antonio Guzman, and they have one daughter, Melanie Alexis.
The governor also paid tribute to Justice Scott Brister, whom Guzman replaces,
saying he leaves a strong legacy.