Monica Elaine Guerrero Named Lawyer of the Year at Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys Law Day Banquet

By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2018

The Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys announced that San Antonio, Texas attorney Monica Elaine Guerrero was named the Lawyer of the Year at its Law Day Banquet and Scholarship Fund Raiser held on Thursday, May 3, 2018, at the Ramada Inn Ball Room in Del Rio, Texas.

Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys President Edgar Juarez was the Master of Ceremony for the May 3rd Law Day Banquet and Scholarship Fund Raiser event. Former Val Verde County Sheriff Dwayne Jernigan presented the invocation at the Banquet. 

Juarez introduced the distinguished guests in attendance at the May 3rd Law Day Banquet, including United States District Judge Alia Moses for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division, United States Magistrate Judge Victor Roberto Garcia for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division, 83rd Judicial District Judge Robert E. Cadena and wife, Camille Weatherbee Cadena, and 63rd and 83rd Judicial District Attorney Michael Joseph Bagley and wife, Yolanda Bagley.

Outgoing 2017-2018 Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys Board of Directors include President Edgar Juarez, President-Elect Sostenes Mireles II, Vice-President Ricardo E. Calderon, and Secretary Bianca R. Del Rio, and Treasurer Joseph Cordova. 

United States District Judge Alia Moses administered the Oath of Office and swore-in the new 2018-2019 Board of Directors, including Sostenes Mireles II as President, Bianca R. Del Rio as President-Elect, Edgar Juarez as Secretary, and Todd Durden as Treasurer.

United States Magistrate Judge Victor Roberto Garcia presented the Lawyer of the Year Award to Monica Elaine Guerrero as voted upon the members of the Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys members.

Newly sworn-in President Sostenes Mireles II introduced the keynote speaker of the Law Day Banquet, the Honorable Robert E. Cadena of the 83rd Judicial District Court of Val Verde, Pecos, and Terrell Counties.

Judge Cadena presented an eloquent speech regarding the importance of Law Day in the United States and the key role played by the Judiciary in American Democracy together with personal observations from the bench and as a previous federal and state prosecutor. 

Scholarship Committee Chairman Javier Riojas announced the 13 winners of a $500 Scholarship to graduating senior high school students residing within the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division, awarded by the Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys, including Luisana Cortez, Madeline Martinez, and Abel A. Martinez of Eagle Pass High School, Julissa Alvarado and Alan R. Gonzalez of Eagle Pass C. C. Winn High School, Idalia K. Gonzalez of Brackettville High School, William H. May of Carrizo Springs High School, Diana A. Guerrero of Crystal City High School, Regan F. Kohut, Weston W. Casson, and Alejandra Flores of Del Rio High School, Nicole T. De La Rosa of Nueces Canyon High School, and Alfonso G. Franco of Rocksprings High School.

A Silent Auction was held during the Law Day Banquet and Scholarship Fund Raiser to raise additional revenues for the Scholarship Committee for next year’s scholarships.