San Antonio, TX, August 25, 2025
News Summary
Alma Lopez Cavazos, a trailblazing former chief justice and advocate for women in law and domestic violence survivors, passed away at 81. Known for her groundbreaking role in the Texas appellate courts, she was the first Hispanic woman to serve on the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals and the first woman to be elected as chief justice of a state appellate court in the U.S. Her contributions to judicial accessibility and mentorship have left a lasting legacy.
San Antonio — Former Chief Justice Alma Lopez Cavazos, a pioneering figure in the Texas appellate courts and a longtime advocate for women in law and survivors of domestic violence, died on August 11, 2025, at the age of 81. She was days away from her 82nd birthday.
Key facts
Cavazos served as the retired chief justice of the U.S. Fourth Court of Appeals. Appointed by Governor Ann Richards in 1993, she became the first Hispanic woman to serve on Texas’ 4th Court of Appeals and only the second Hispanic woman in the United States to serve on an appellate court. She was later elected chief justice, becoming the first Hispanic woman in the nation elected as chief justice of a state appellate court. She also served as the highest-ranking member of the first all-female appeals court in the United States.
Immediate details
Cavazos retired from the bench in 2008 after a judicial career that included leadership roles and several procedural innovations. She is credited with expanding access to appellate proceedings, including hosting the first appellate oral arguments in Laredo and pioneering remote video broadcasts for court arguments in 2001. Funeral Mass is scheduled for September 5, 2025, at Mission San Jose Catholic Church in San Antonio.
Career and accomplishments
After earning her Doctor of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 1968—when she was one of only four women in her class—Cavazos began her legal career working with attorney Frank J. Green and focused on immigration law. She later ran a private practice that specialized in immigration and family law for more than two decades before joining the bench.
Her appointment to the Fourth Court of Appeals came after encouragement from colleagues and an arranged meeting with then-Governor Ann Richards. Following her appointment in 1993, she was later elected chief justice, a milestone that marked her as a national trailblazer. During her tenure she presided over an all-female appeals panel and supported procedural innovations to make appellate courts more accessible to communities across Texas.
Contributions to access and mentorship
Cavazos is remembered for practical steps to broaden public access to appellate processes, including taking oral arguments outside the court’s usual locations and using remote video technology to expand viewership and participation. She remained active in mentoring younger lawyers and judges and is noted for administering oaths of office to other members of the bench.
Personal background
Alma Lopez was born on August 17, 1943, in Laredo, Texas, to Alejandro and Olivia Lopez. Her family later relocated to San Antonio, where she attended Graebner Elementary and Burbank High School. She continued her education at San Antonio College and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from St. Mary’s University prior to law school.
She married Emilio Cavazos on March 3, 1983. Survivors include her husband, sisters, daughter, son, granddaughters, nephews, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Legacy and recognition
Colleagues and peers have described Cavazos as a leader who combined legal skill with integrity, resilience, and courage. St. Mary’s University School of Law established the Alma L. Lopez Women in Leadership Award in her honor. Throughout her post-judicial life she remained active in the legal community and in causes supporting women in the profession and survivors of domestic violence.
What comes next
Plans for a Funeral Mass are set for September 5, 2025, at Mission San Jose Catholic Church in San Antonio. Further memorials and recognitions are expected from local bar associations and legal organizations in the months following her passing.
Background context
Cavazos’s career spanned a period of significant change in the legal profession for women and Hispanic lawyers. Her rise to appellate leadership in the 1990s and her election as chief justice marked notable firsts at a time when women and minority representation in senior judicial roles was far less common than today. Her work to expand courtroom access and to mentor younger legal professionals reflects a broader movement to modernize court procedures and diversify the bench.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Alma Lopez Cavazos |
| Date of birth | August 17, 1943 |
| Date of death | August 11, 2025 (aged 81) |
| Judicial service | Appointed to Texas 4th Court of Appeals in 1993; later elected chief justice; retired 2008 |
| Education | St. Mary’s University (B.B.A.); St. Mary’s University School of Law (J.D., 1968) |
| Notable firsts | First Hispanic woman on Texas 4th Court of Appeals; second Hispanic woman in U.S. to serve on an appellate court; first Hispanic woman in the nation elected as chief justice of a state appellate court |
Timeline
| Date | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| August 17, 1943 | Born in Laredo, Texas | Biographical record |
| 1968 | Earned Doctor of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s University School of Law | Education record |
| March 3, 1983 | Married Emilio Cavazos | Personal record |
| 1993 | Appointed to Texas 4th Court of Appeals by Governor Ann Richards | Judicial appointment record |
| 2001 | Hosted remote video broadcasts for appellate arguments | Court initiative |
| 2005 | Administered oath of office to Judge Oscar Hale | Court event |
| 2008 | Retired from the bench | Retirement record |
| August 11, 2025 | Died at age 81 | Reported |
| September 5, 2025 | Funeral Mass scheduled at Mission San Jose Catholic Church, San Antonio | Public announcement |
Simple visual summary
Comparative lengths (approximate):
Frequently asked questions
When did Alma Lopez Cavazos die?
Alma Lopez Cavazos died on August 11, 2025, at the age of 81.
What were her most notable judicial milestones?
She was appointed to the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals in 1993, becoming the first Hispanic woman to serve on that court and one of the earliest Hispanic women to serve on a U.S. appellate court. She was later elected chief justice, becoming the first Hispanic woman in the nation elected as chief justice of a state appellate court, and served as the highest-ranking member of the first all-female appeals court in the U.S.
What was her educational background?
She attended San Antonio College and St. Mary’s University, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration, and then earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 1968.
Who survives her?
She is survived by her husband, sisters, daughter, son, granddaughters, nephews, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.
When and where is the funeral service?
A Funeral Mass is scheduled for September 5, 2025, at Mission San Jose Catholic Church in San Antonio.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- LMT Online: Alma Lopez’s Pioneer Legacy
- Wikipedia: Alma Lopez
- Express News: Alma Lopez Obituary
- Google Search: Alma Lopez Judge
- Mission Parks: Memorial Events
- Google Scholar: Alma Lopez Judiciary
- LMT Online: Crime Blotter
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Alma Lopez
- LMT Online: 58 Arrested in Laredo
- Google News: Alma Lopez Justice
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
