Eva Guzman

Eva Guzman is a former jurist who served as a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court and as a judge on the Texas Fourteenth Court of Appeals. Appointed by Governor Rick Perry in 2009, she became the first Hispanic woman to serve on the state's highest civil court. Her judicial career, spanning over two decades, was marked by a conservative judicial philosophy before she resigned to launch an unsuccessful campaign for Texas Attorney General in the 2022 Republican primary election.

Early life and education

Eva Guzman was born in Houston and is the daughter of immigrants from Mexico. She attended the University of Houston, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. She subsequently pursued her legal education at the South Texas College of Law Houston, obtaining her Juris Doctor degree. During her time in law school, she served as an editor for the law review and graduated near the top of her class, laying a strong academic foundation for her future career in the Texas judiciary.

Legal career

Before her judicial appointments, Guzman built a diverse legal practice. She began her career as a briefing attorney for Justice Murry B. Cohen of the Texas First Court of Appeals. She then entered private practice, focusing on civil litigation at the firm now known as Beirne, Maynard & Parsons LLP, where she handled complex commercial disputes. Her professional experience also included service as a City of Houston prosecutor, providing her with broad exposure to both civil and criminal law within the Harris County legal system.

Texas Supreme Court service

In 2001, Governor Rick Perry appointed Guzman to the Texas Fourteenth Court of Appeals, making her the first Hispanic woman to serve on that intermediate appellate court. She won election to retain that seat in 2002 and 2008. In October 2009, following the resignation of Justice Harriet O'Neill, Perry appointed Guzman to the Texas Supreme Court. She was subsequently elected to full terms in 2010 and 2016, often aligning with the court's conservative majority. Her judicial opinions frequently emphasized textualism and strict construction of statutes, and she authored significant rulings on matters like the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and arbitration agreements.

2022 Texas attorney general campaign

On June 10, 2022, Guzman resigned from the Texas Supreme Court to challenge incumbent Ken Paxton in the 2022 Republican primary election for Texas Attorney General. Her campaign focused on her judicial record and integrity, positioning herself as a conservative alternative amid Paxton's legal controversies, including an indictment for securities fraud and an FBI investigation. Despite earning endorsements from major newspapers like the Houston Chronicle and The Dallas Morning News, as well as from former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas R. Phillips, she finished third in the primary behind Paxton and George P. Bush, failing to force a runoff.

Post-campaign activities

Following her primary defeat, Guzman returned to private legal practice. She joined the Houston office of the national law firm Hunton Andrews Kurth as a partner in its appellate practice. In this role, she advises clients on complex litigation and appeals in state and federal courts. She remains active in professional and community organizations, including the Texas Bar Foundation and the Houston Hispanic Bar Association, and is frequently mentioned as a potential candidate for future judicial or political office within Texas Republican circles.

Category:1960 births Category:Living people Category:Texas Supreme Court justices Category:Texas state court judges Category:Texas Republicans Category:American women judges Category:University of Houston alumni Category:South Texas College of Law Houston alumni Category:People from Houston Category:American women lawyers