Judge Melanie M. Lira was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. As the first U.S.-born citizen in her family, she grew up navigating both the struggles of a migrant life and the unique responsibilities that come with being a first-generation American.

Meet Melanie

At just 16, Melanie began her college education at San Antonio College, where she discovered the transformative power of learning. She later transferred to the University of Houston, where she explored a variety of academic paths before earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Art History and Religious Studies.

Before graduating, Melanie was accepted into the University of Denver’s Iliff School of Theology, where she pursued a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies. It was during this time that she began working with nonprofits that served undocumented communities—a turning point that revealed her true calling: legal advocacy.

Melanie earned her J.D. from St. Mary’s School of Law in 2015. While in law school, she also completed a second Master’s Degree in International Relations, focusing on conflict resolution, and graduated in the top five percent of her class.

Melanie M. Lira was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree in art history and religious studies from the University of Houston, a master's degree in religious studies from the University of Denver's Iliff School of Theology, a law degree from St. Mary's School of Law in 2015, and a master's degree in international relations focused on conflict resolution.

Prior to being elected, Melanie serves as an Immigration Staff Attorney at The Treviño Law Firm, a Bexar County Court-Appointed Attorney, and an immigration attorney at her own firm, Lira | Cazares Defense Firm, PLLC—where she reserved 40% of her cases for pro bono representation.

Throughout her career, Melanie has been recognized for her unwavering commitment to human rights and social justice, both at home and abroad. From 2014 to 2017, she worked with the nonprofit Amal ou Salam to support Syrian refugee children.

Before being elected, Melanie served as an immigration staff attorney at The Treviño Law Firm, a Bexar County court-appointed attorney, and an immigration attorney at Lira | Cazares Defense Firm, PLLC. She previously worked with the nonprofit Amal ou Salam.

Lira, who was elected in 2022, cited a large backlog of cases as the reason she was running for the bench, her campaign website states.

Attorney says Bexar County court judge ‘body checked’ and assaulted her at Fiesta gathering

County Court 7
Judge Melanie Lira
210-335-2002...

County Courts

Melanie currently serves as judge of Bexar County Court 7. She was elected in 2022.

Attorney says Bexar County court judge 'body checked' and ... - KSAT

County Courts | Bexar County, TX - Official Website

2026 Texas General Election

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As an immigration staff attorney at The Treviño Law Firm, provides legal advice and representation to immigration clients.

As an immigration attorney at Lira | Cazares Defense Firm, PLLC, provided immigration legal services and reserved 40% of cases for free representation.

As a Bexar County court-appointed attorney, provides legal representation to clients who were assigned counsel by the court.

As a county court judge, oversees cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations and issues search and arrest warrants.

- As a Bexar County court-appointed attorney, provides legal representation to clients who were assigned counsel by the court.
- As a county court judge, oversees cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations and issues search and arrest warrants.

Legal Experience

As Judge of County Court-at-Law 7, I’ve brought both my lived experience and legal expertise to the bench—always mindful that compassion, patience, and a steady temperament are essential, especially in the most difficult cases. I’ve worked diligently to reduce the court’s backlog and have made it a priority to ensure that every case is handled with fairness, efficiency, and integrity.

Judge Melanie M. Lira

Says compassion, patience, and a steady temperament are essential in difficult cases.

- Says compassion, patience, and a steady temperament are essential in difficult cases.

Judicial Philosophy

Fair | Honest |Efficient
What We Accomplished
Created a consistent docket
Decreased the backlog
Took back family violence cases

As County Court 7 judge, says she resumed handling family violence cases.

As judge of County Court 7, reports reducing the backlog by creating a consistent docket and prioritizing fair, efficient, and ethical case handling.

- As County Court 7 judge, says she resumed handling family violence cases.
- As judge of County Court 7, reports reducing the backlog by creating a consistent docket and prioritizing fair, efficient, and ethical case handling.

Judicial Administration

As of July 22, 2026, Melanie M. Lira’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Worked with nonprofits serving undocumented communities while pursuing a master's degree in Religious Studies.

Worked with Amal ou Salam, a nonprofit supporting Syrian refugee children, from 2014 to 2017.

Reserved 40% of her firm’s cases for pro bono representation.

- Worked with Amal ou Salam, a nonprofit supporting Syrian refugee children, from 2014 to 2017.
- Reserved 40% of her firm’s cases for pro bono representation.

Community Involvement

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Melanie M. Lira

- As an immigration staff attorney at The Treviño Law Firm, provides legal advice and representation to immigration clients.
- As a Bexar County court-appointed attorney, provides legal representation to clients who were assigned counsel by the court.
- As an immigration attorney at Lira | Cazares Defense Firm, PLLC, provided immigration legal services and reserved 40% of cases for free representation.

- As judge of County Court 7, reports reducing the backlog by creating a consistent docket and prioritizing fair, efficient, and ethical case handling.

Melanie Lira is from San Antonio, Texas. She has an associate's degree from San Antonio College, a bachelor's degree in art history and religious studies from the University of Houston, a master's degree in religious studies from the University of Denver, and a law degree from St. Mary's School of Law. 

Meet Melanie Lira – CanvasRebel Magazine

Melanie is an immigration defense attorney.

Melanie is currently a judge on Bexar County Court-at-Law No. 7. She was elected in 2022 and is currently serving her first term.

Bexar County primary elections kick off: See who's on the ballot for ...

As a judge, established a consistent court schedule.

As a judge, decreased the backlog of cases.

As a judge, took back family violence cases.

Melanie Lira is from San Antonio, Texas. She has a bachelor's degree in art history and religious studies from the University of Houston, a master's degree in religious studies from the University of Denver, and a law degree from St. Mary's School of Law.

Melanie is a judge for Bexar County Court-at-Law, Post 7. She previously served as an immigration staff attorney at the Trevi o Law Firm, an immigration attorney at her own firm, Lira | Cazares Defense Firm, PLLC, and a Bexar County court-appointed attorney. She also worked with the nonprofit Amal ou Salam to support Syrian refugee children. 

Melanie is currently a judge on the Bexar County Court-at-Law No. 7. She was elected in 2022 and is currently serving her first term.

As a judge, worked to reduce the backlog of cases.

Melanie Lira is from San Antonio, Texas. She has an associate's degree from San Antonio College, a bachelor's degree in art history and religious studies from the University of Houston, a master's degree in religious studies from the University of Denver, and a law degree from St. Mary's School of Law.

Melanie is a judge for Bexar County Court-at-Law, Post 7. Before taking the bench, she served as an immigration staff attorney at The Trevi o Law Firm, an immigration attorney at her own firm, Lira | Cazares Defense Firm, PLLC, and a Bexar County court-appointed attorney. She also worked with the nonprofit Amal ou Salam to support Syrian refugee children. 

For Candidate Melanie M. Lira on Issue judicial-administration: Created a consistent docket to enhance structure and predictability in case management.

For Candidate Melanie M. Lira on Issue judicial-administration:  
Decreased the backlog in the court system.

For Candidate Melanie M. Lira on Issue judicial-administration: Took on family violence cases to help reduce the backlog.

Buket Urgen

Isaac Brickman

- A County Court-At-Law judge handles misdemeanors, such as assault of a family member, property theft between $750 and $2,500, and using force against a law enforcement officer. They also handle civil cases where the amount in question does not exceed $200,000. 
- County Court-At-Law judges conduct arraignments, pre-trial hearings, and jury trials, as well as accept guilty pleas. 
- They are elected in a partisan, county-wide election to a four-year term. 
- Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 25 years old, have been a Texas and county resident for at least 24 consecutive months, a practicing lawyer and/or judge in Texas for at least four years, and registered to vote in that county.
- The annual salary for County Court-At-Law Judges ranges from $174,000 to $244,500, depending on years of service and how much they receive as a county supplement.

Handles civil and criminal cases from District Courts.