2010 Profiles: Juliet Stipeche for Judge-281st District Court

“Morality cannot be legislated but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless.” Justice Hugo Black

I grew up in the diverse East End of Houston, where I continue to reside today, as the daughter of immigrant parents from Argentina and Mexico. My parents came to the United States in search of a better life and economic opportunity. My father worked as a diesel mechanic and electric technician and was a member of the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 716. My mother worked equally hard at home for our family as a housewife. While my father earned an advanced degree in marine engineering, my mother taught herself how to read and write. Despite the differences in their educational backgrounds, my parents always stressed the importance of learning. They also taught my sister and me how to love and respect others and the value of hard work and being the best that you can be in everything that you do.

Since my parents became U.S. citizens near the time I was born, we were all learning how to be ideal U.S. citizens together. While we continued to celebrate our Latino heritage and culture, my parents also instilled in us a fervent belief in America and the American dream. If we worked hard enough to bring our dreams into reality, we could be anything that we wanted to be. I struggled to reconcile this perspective with the inequality and injustice that we witnessed and sometimes experienced, but this conflict fueled my passion for justice and inspired me to become a lawyer at a young age.

I have been exceedingly fortunate to have a wonderful family, teachers, professors and friends. They have cultivated my service and leadership skills while nurturing my open-mindedness and tolerance. I succeed because of the love and support that I generously receive from others. I graduated valedictorian of the High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, earning an academic scholarship to Rice University. I later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude in Political Science, Policy Studies and Religious Studies from Rice University. I was awarded the Joseph Cooper Prize as the most outstanding Policy Studies student in my graduating class for my scholarship and work as a Houston City Council Intern during my senior year.

I later attended and graduated from The University of Texas School of Law. Since I wanted to be a trial attorney, I was recruited by Steven Gonzalez to work for his firm in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. He promised that I would receive more hands on training and experience than any young attorney could ever imagine, and he was certainly right. I started practicing law prior to tort reform in one of the most legally active jurisdictions in Texas. I had an extensive docket of serious personal injury and medical malpractice cases. I essentially lived at the Courthouse, participating in numerous jury trials and working up cases from inception to trial to appeal. My very first trial as second chair was a medical malpractice lawsuit that lasted six (6) weeks in Hidalgo County, Texas against one of the best Plaintiffs’ firms in Texas, which we won.

I later returned to Houston and continued to work full-time as a civil trial lawyer. Today, my husband and I have our own firm, Nagorny & Stipeche, P.C., which is a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Our firm is minority-and-woman-owned and operated. A 2002 survey conducted by the State Bar of Texas revealed that women comprised only 27% of Harris County’s attorney population, and only 3% of Harris County’s attorneys were Latinos. This was true even though Latinos comprised almost 42% of the City’s entire population at the time. I often wonder what the figure is for Latina attorneys such as myself today. I hope that the figures have improved and continue to improve. I have mentored many students over the years, telling them, “If I could do it, so can you!” However, young minds need to be nurtured, encouraged, empowered and loved by us, as elders. They cannot do it alone, and it is our responsibility to inspire, to give them hope, and to provide resources.

Since 1999, I have participated in numerous trials involving serious allegations, significant injuries and high dollar demands. I have worked on hundreds of cases, attended countless hearings and depositions, and have interacted with some of the most amazing Plaintiffs’ and defense attorneys in Texas. I also have several published legal opinions and have given lectures on a variety of legal topics. While the majority of my practice has involved defending physicians and healthcare providers, my experience provides me with an open mind and fair attitude toward both sides of the bar. I recognize both the financial and emotional commitment involved in the litigation process especially in these financially turbulent times. I also believe in treating all persons with kindness and respect.

Over the years, I witnessed how juries make the right decisions, no matter how purportedly dangerous the jurisdiction is labeled to be. After all, the jury system is democracy in action, and it works despite what the critics may say. Speaking to jurors after trials, I recognized that no matter how different their backgrounds were, jurors still gave similar assessments of their deliberations. This experience reminded me of Cesar Chavez’s quote, “The love for justice that is in us is not only the best part of our being but it is also the most true to our nature.” While the legal world is undoubtedly complex, the concept of justice has an exceedingly strong instinctual component, as the concept of fairness is deeply ingrained in us.

I am running for Judge to make a difference and to give back to the community. I am a Democratic candidate because this is the Party of opportunity. I will strive to be impartial, fair, and independent. I will move cases to trial. But, I will also enthusiastically participate in programs that will benefit the citizens of Houston. I draw inspiration from Roscoe Pound who said, “The law must be stable, but it must not stand still.” Progress should never cease; we can and will do more. I offer my legal and life experience as a judicial candidate for the 281st Civil District Court, and I thank you for your support.

Visit Juliet’s Website and Become a fan of her Facebook page.