Judge Norma Gonzales: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Norma Gonzales is a judge for the 131st (Civil) District Court in Bexar County, Texas. She was elected to the bench in 2016 and re-elected in 2020.

Prior to her election, Gonzales was a sole practitioner in her own private practice. Before that, she spent time as a partner at Gonzales & Torres-Stahl, a law firm she joined in 2011. Over the course of her legal career, she specialized in insurance defense, personal injury, civil litigation, and family law litigation.

Gonzales earned a B.A. in history and psychology from Rice University in 1981. She then completed a J.D. at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law in 1984.

After graduating from law school, Gonzales began her legal career as an assistant district attorney in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office in 1985. Two years later, she entered into private practice, working as an attorney at Clark & Gamble (1987 to 1995) and Clark & Gonzales (1996 to 1999). Then, in 2002, Gonzales opened her own private practice.

Her memberships have included the San Antonio Bar Association, the Bexar County Women's Bar Association, the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the VFW Post 9186, and the Municipal Court Advisory Committee to San Antonio City Council. She has also served as a board member of Battered Women's Shelter, a volunteer for F.A.C.T., and a president of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Gonzales graduated from South San High School in 1977. Her father was a civil servant at Kelly Air Force Base. She is fluent in Spanish and English. When not presiding over the bench, she enjoys traveling and supporting the San Antonio Spurs.

Gonzales is registered as a Democrat.