Although I have called Houston home for the last 28 years, I am a first-generation immigrant who grew up on the El Paso–Juárez border. From an early age, my parents instilled in me the value of hard work, dedication, and integrity. They taught me the value of believing in myself and taking pride in everything I do.

Meet Veronica

Veronica Rivas-Molloy grew up on the El Paso–Juárez border and has called Houston home for the last 28 years.

LinkedIn

JUSTICE VERONICA RIVAS-MOLLOY

Place 3

Justice Veronica Rivas-Molloy was elected to the First Court of Appeals in November 2020. Since joining the bench, she has authored hundreds of reasoned majority opinions and worked on countless more appeals spanning civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters.

Justice Veronica Rivas-Molloy | First Court of Appeals

Veronica was elected to the First Court of Appeals in 2020.

1st COA | About The Court | Justices - Texas Courts

2026 Texas General Election

About Justice Rivas-Molloy

For the past five years, I have proudly served as a Justice on the First Court of Appeals, where I have authored more than 250 reasoned majority opinions and participated in the resolution of countless more appeals involving civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters.

Justice Veronica Rivas-Molloy Campaign Homepage

Serves as a justice on the First Court of Appeals and has authored more than 250 majority opinions, resolving civil, criminal, probate, and family law appeals.

- Serves as a justice on the First Court of Appeals and has authored more than 250 majority opinions, resolving civil, criminal, probate, and family law appeals.

Legal Experience

As of July 22, 2026, Veronica Rivas-Molloy’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

“I am running for re-election to the First Court of Appeals because I am deeply committed to serving our community and upholding our system of justice. My record is clear: deep legal experience, a strong work ethic, and a steadfast commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law.  As the only candidate with judicial experience in my race, I bring sound judgment to the Court and will be ready on day one to continue the hard work this job requires. I hope to earn your trust and your vote in the November 3 general election. It will be a privilege to continue serving you, our community, and the State of Texas.”

Justice Veronica Rivas-Molloy is the only candidate in her race with proven judicial experience. She was elected to the First Court of Appeals in November 2020. During her five years on the court, she has authored hundreds of carefully reasoned majority opinions and worked on countless more appeals involving civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters—applying the law faithfully and fairly. She has built a record defined by integrity, scholarship, and unwavering commitment to the rule of law. Her record is clear: deep legal experience, a strong work ethic, and a steadfast commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law. She approaches every case with impartiality, respect for precedent, and dedication to ensuring that every litigant receives a fair hearing.

Committed to upholding the Constitution and the rule of law.

Approaches cases with impartiality, respect for precedent, and a commitment to fair hearings for litigants.

- Committed to upholding the Constitution and the rule of law.
- Approaches cases with impartiality, respect for precedent, and a commitment to fair hearings for litigants.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Facebook

Veronica Rivas-Molloy

Veronica Rivas-Molloy is from the El Paso–Juárez border. She has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and Spanish from the University of Texas at El Paso and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. She and her husband, David, have three sons.

Announcing the 2025 Judicial Leadership Awardee

Veronica is a managing partner at O'Neil Wysocki Family Law. She previously worked as a partner at the Law Office of Todd Frankfort and Flowers & Frankfort. Earlier in her career, she served as a judicial clerk for the Hon. Ewing Werlein Jr. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. She also worked as an attorney at Fullweider Wilhite, the Frankfort Law Firm, and the Law Office of Richard L. Flowers, Jr. She has also served as a volunteer prosecutor for the City of Houston.

2026 1st Court of Appeals, Place 3 | Texas Judges

Veronica is currently a justice on the First Court of Appeals. She was first elected in 2020.

Has 20 years of experience practicing law, representing individuals, small businesses, and multinational companies in complex litigation and appellate matters in state and federal courts and before domestic and international arbitration tribunals.

Served as pro bono General Counsel for Holy Trinity Episcopal School of Greater Houston, pro bono counsel for women and unaccompanied minors in immigration proceedings, and pro bono counsel for several clients in a variety of legal disputes.

Buket Urgen

Isaac Brickman

Todd Frankfort

- 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.

Hears appeals on orders and decisions made by lower trial courts.