Judge Nereida Lopez-Singleterry announced her candidacy Monday for the Place 6 justice post on the 13th Court of Appeals.
The appellate court hears civil and criminal matters of the county and district courts, stretching across the 20 counties of South Texas and Coastal Bend.
Place 6 was left vacant by Justice Dori Contreras, who was sworn into office as the chief justice of the appellate court in January. Lopez-Singleterry said that she understands the authority of the position.
“I will be honest and fair,” she said in a news release. “I will treat all parties on appeal with dignity and respect. I understand that everyone of my decisions will impact someone’s life.”
With experience as a litigator and judge, Lopez-Singleterry was appointed as the associate judge of the Title IV-D Court 1 in Hidalgo County in 2017. She heard cases that the Texas Attorney General’s Office provided regarding Title IV of the Federal Social Security Act.
Lopez-Singleterry is licensed by the Texas Bar Association, and has been practicing law for the past decade after graduating from the University of Texas Pan American (now UTRGV) with a bachelor’s degree in science and interdisciplinary studies.
After receiving her juris doctor from Michigan State College in 2008, she has served in a range of local legislative positions, including president of the Hidalgo County Young Lawyers Association, Hidalgo County Criminal Law Association and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
The race for the Place 6 post on the 13th Court of Appeals will be on the ballot for the 2020 March primary.
