293rd Judicial District Judge Cynthia Muniz swears-in daughter, Ana Sophia Berain, as newly licensed attorney

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016

A jam packed courtroom with over 200 persons in attendance witnessed the swearing-in of newly licensed State of Texas attorney, Ana Sophia Berain, on Friday, May 20, 2016, by her mother, 293rd Judicial District Judge Cynthia Muniz, in an emotional and historic ceremony in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Ana Sophia Berain graduated from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.

Courtroom Bailiff Jimmy Benavides called the Court to order as Judge Cynthia Muniz entered the crowded courtroom to preside over the happiest and most memorable court hearing in her distinguished jurist career.

Judge Muniz welcomed everyone to the 293rd Judcial District Court and asked if there was any motion to be made before the Court.  Rolando Jasso, managing partner of the Knickerbocker, Heredia, Jasso & Salinas law firm, stood up and moved the Court for the swearing-in and oath of newly licensed attorney, Ana Sophia Berain, accompanied by law firm partners Eugene Stewart and Marco Salinas and associate attorney Rolando Salinas.

Judge Muniz happily granted the motion and proceeded to administer the oath and swearing-in of her lovely daughter, Ana Sophia Berain, as a licensed attorney in the State of Texas.  Standing with Ana Sophia Berain during her oath and swearing-in were her father, Guillermo “Billy” Berain, and beautiful maternal grandmother, Carmen Muniz.

Catholic Deacon Mike Castillo presented the invocation.

Judge Muniz stated that she never imagined she would one day be administering the oath and swearing-in of her only child, Ana Sophia Berain, as a newly licensed attorney and welcoming her to the legal profession.  Judge Muniz noted this court hearing and ceremony would always be cherished by her as the most memorable of her career.

Following the oath and swearing-in, attorney Ana Sophia Berain eloquently addressed the Court and audience in giving thanks to the Lord for fulfilling her goal to become an attorney, her parents, Guillermo  “Billy” Berain and Judge Cynthia Muniz, for raising her with high principles and values, her grandmother, Carmen Muniz, for always supporting her, the members of the Knickerbocker, Heredia, Jasso & Salinas law firm for their support, her family, friends, and professors for motivating and encouraging her to successfully complete her law degree.  She also thanked her boyfriend, Javier Cano, for his support.

Attending the swearing-in ceremony included Ana Sophia Berain’s father, Guillermo “Billy” Berain, her loving grandmother, Carmen Muniz, all of her aunts, uncles and cousins from the Berain family, 365th Judicial District Judge Amado J. Abascal, III,  former 293rd Judicial District Judge Rey Perez, former District Judge Eugene Stewart, City of Eagle Pass Municipal Court Judge Francisco Martinez, III, 293rd Judicial District Attorney Roberto Serna, Maverick County Attorney Ricardo Ramos, Dimmit County Attorney Daniel Gonzalez, Maverick County Tax-Assessor Isamari Sanchez Villarreal, 293rd Judicial District Court Reporter Susan Villanueva, 293rd Judicial District Court Administrator Aleida Castillo and husband, Deacon Mike Castillo, and many members of the Maverick County Bar Association, family, and friends.

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed refreshments and catered food and desserts.