My name is Natalia Cornelio. My community knows me by “Nata.” I live in Houston’s East End with my husband (Daniel) and our dog (Biggie Smalls).

 

I am a proud, bilingual and Mexican-American District Court Judge with 17 years of legal experience. I became a lawyer to make a difference, and to help ensure that all of our communities have equal access to and protection of our laws.

 

As a Federal Public Defender in Houston, I represented hundreds of clients who were charged with crimes at every phase of their trial proceedings. I saw first-hand that our lower income communities and our communities of color are disproportionately impacted by our justice system and regularly represented Spanish-speaking clients who otherwise would not have had an attorney who spoke their language. Through this experience, I learned about the immigration consequences that impact many who are touched by our criminal justice system. 

 

As a civil rights attorney, I represented the families separated at the U.S.-Mexico border under former president Trump’s zero-tolerance family separation policy.

 

Now, as Judge of the 351st District Court, I have demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that all individuals receive equal protection under the law, due process and the opportunity to be heard.