Luz is from El Paso, Texas. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from St. Mary’s University and a law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. She lives in San Antonio with her 3 children. 

Luz previously worked as an attorney at Chapa & Nevarez, P.C, and Hartline, Dacus, Barger & Dreyer, LLP. She also worked as a Law Clerk at several law firms and centers. 

Luz Elena Chapa currently serves as a Justice of the Court of Appeals in Division 4. She was elected to this position in 2013 and is serving her second term. 

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As a state court of appeals judge for 11 years, Chapa ensures the law has been applied correctly in state criminal and civil cases, exercises the authority to correct procedural errors or misinterpretations of fact or law by lower appeals and trial courts, and hears applications for court orders that compel and prohibit certain actions by lower courts and government officials

As an attorney at Chapa & Nevarez, P.C. for 5 years, Chapa researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

As an attorney at Hartline, Dacus, Barger & Dreyer, LLP. for 3 years, Chapa researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

- As a state court of appeals judge for 11 years, Chapa ensures the law has been applied correctly in state criminal and civil cases, exercises the authority to correct procedural errors or misinterpretations of fact or law by lower appeals and trial courts, and hears applications for court orders that compel and prohibit certain actions by lower courts and government officials
- As an attorney at Chapa & Nevarez, P.C. for 5 years, Chapa researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.
- As an attorney at Hartline, Dacus, Barger & Dreyer, LLP. for 3 years, Chapa researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

Legal Experience

As of September 7, 2024, Luz Elena Chapa’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Judicial Philosophy

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Luz Elena Chapa

Luz Elena Chapa received her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from St. Mary’s University. She lives in San Antonio and is a mother of three children.

Justice Luz Elena Chapa has served on the Fourth Court of Appeals for over a decade. She has authored over 1,300 opinions and has one of the lowest reversal rates by a higher court in Texas.

Justice Luz Elena Chapa has served on the Fourth Court of Appeals for over a decade.

As a judge, she has "authored over 1,300 opinions and has one of the lowest reversal rates by a higher court in Texas."

Believes in the importance of experienced judges, saying "Justice Luz Elena Chapa has served on the Fourth Court of Appeals for over a decade."

Believes she is the "most qualified and experienced Place 4 candidate and the only one with a proven appellate judicial record."

Believes in understanding the specific regional issues and legal contexts of South Texas, as the Fourth Court covers 32 counties with diverse populations and cultures.

Believes in the importance of the Fourth Court of Appeals, which hears appeals of civil and criminal cases from lower courts and is the highest level of appeal before the Texas Supreme Court for non-federal cases.

Believes in earning "trust and support by keeping promises."

The candidate's website says, "She is a highly respected jurist known for the highest standards of ethics and integrity, upholding the rule of law, and keeping partisan politics out of her decisions."

Active in various legal and non-profit organizations.

- In Texas, appeals from district and county courts, except death penalty cases, go to one of 14 intermediate courts of appeal.
- There are a total of 80 appellate court seats, distributed variably among the courts based on population across the 14 districts.
- Courts with more than three justices decide cases in rotating panels of three.
- Justices are elected in partisan elections for six-year terms.
- The yearly salary for a Court of Appeals justice in Texas is between $192,500 and $255,050 based on the total number of years they have served.