Hon. Ysmael D. Fonseca

, Justice Ysmael D. Fonseca was born and raised in South Texas. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. degree in Political Science and Spanish Literature in 2003 and a J.D. degree in 2009. Prior to law school, he worked as a Paralegal Specialist for the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. He served as a judicial law clerk for Justice Randy Crane of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Fonseca practiced law at Guerra & Sabo, PLLC, specializing in civil defense, municipal law, and small business representation. He was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to serve as Judge of the 464th District Court from 2019 to 2020 and the 476th District Court from 2023 to 2024. He was elected to the Thirteenth Court of Appeals in November 2024.

Experience:
, Judicial Law Clerk for Justice Randy Crane, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas; Partner at Guerra & Sabo, PLLC; Judge of the 464th District Court of Hidalgo County; Judge of the 476th District Court of Hidalgo County; Justice of the Thirteenth Court of Appeals

Education:
, B.A. in Political Science and Spanish Literature, University of Notre Dame; J.D., University of Notre Dame Law School

Professional Affiliations:
, Texas Bar Foundation, College of the State Bar of Texas, Hidalgo County Bar Association, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, The Federalist Society, RGV LEAD, Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan Del Valle, McAllen Pregnancy Center