Micaela Alvarez is a United States federal judge

United States federal judge

In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....

.

Born in Donna, Texas

Donna, Texas

Donna is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. The population was 15,798 at the 2010 census. The city's motto is "The Heart of the Valley." Donna is part of the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission and Reynosa–McAllen metropolitan areas....

, Alvarez received her B.S.

Bachelor of Science

A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...

 from the University of Texas in 1980 and her J.D.

Juris Doctor

Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...

 from the University of Texas School of Law

University of Texas School of Law

The University of Texas School of Law, also known as UT Law, is an ABA-certified American law school located on the University of Texas at Austin campus. The law school has been in operation since the founding of the University in 1883. It was one of only two schools at the University when it was...

 in 1989. She was in private practice in McAllen, Texas

McAllen, Texas

McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. It is located at the southern tip of Texas in an area known as the Rio Grande Valley and is part of the . Its southern boundary is located about five miles from the U.S.–Mexico border and the Mexican city of Reynosa, the Rio...

 from 1989–1995, and from 1997 to 2004. She was a presiding judge of the 139th Judicial District Court, Texas from 1995 to 1996.

On June 16, 2004, Alvarez was nominated by President George W. Bush

George W. Bush

George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....

 to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas is the Federal district court with jurisdiction over the southern part of Texas...

 vacated by David Hittner

David Hittner

David Hittner is a United States federal judge.Born in Schenectady, New York, Hittner is an Eagle Scout. He received a B.S. from New York University in 1961 and a J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1964. He was in the United States Army Captain from 1965 to 1966. He was in private...

. She was confirmed by the United States Senate

United States Senate

The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...

 on November 20, 2004, and received her commission on December 13, 2004.

Alvarez also served on the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.

Sources