Photo of Justice David M. Medina

Justice David M. Medina

Shareholder

Education

Texas State University, B.S. (1980)

South Texas College of Law Houston, J.D. (1989)

University of Texas - Global Energy, International Arbitration and Environmental Law, LL. M. (2017)

Honors

Houston Bar Foundation Fellow (2023)

2021-2023 -2024 - Best Lawyers in America

2019-2022 - Named a "Top Lawyer" by Houstonia Magazine

Texas Exes Life Member

6th Degree Black Belt - Kajukenbo

1st Degree Black Belt - Taekwondo

2017 - Texas State University Martial Arts Hall of Fame

2012 - South Texas College of Law Alumni Association Outstanding Public Service Award

2012 - Elected President and Chairman Hispanic National Bar Association Judicial Council

2011 - U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame

2010-2012 - National Martial Arts Champion

2012 - Commencement Address – Thurgood Marshall School of Law

2011- Advisor UT Hispanic National Bar Association National Championship Moot Court Team

2011 - Mexican American Bar Association Community Service Award

2010 - National Judge of the Year- Hispanic National Bar Association

Texas Judge of the Year – Mexican-American Bar Foundation of Texas

2008 - LexisNexis Person of the Year

2005 -Texas Supreme Court Justice of the Year (POLICE)

Commencement Address – South Texas College of Law and Texas Wesleyan Law School

2004 - Rising Star Award – Hispanic Bar Association of Texas

1978-1980 - Collegiate State Martial Arts Champion

2020-2023 - Board of Directors, Hispanic Alliance for the Performing Arts dba Austin Sound Waves

Bar Admissions

State Bar of Texas

Court Admissions

United States District Courts for the Southern, Western and Eastern Districts of Texas

United States Court of Appeals for The Fifth Circuit

Profile

Justice David Medina serves as a shareholder in Chamberlain Hrdlicka's commercial litigation and appellate practices in both our Houston and San Antonio offices. Justice Medina also serves as Co-Chair of the Firm's Appellate Practice.

Justice Medina received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from South Texas College of Law Houston in 1989 while working full time for Cooper Industries, Inc. He was a member of the ABA National Moot Court Team and earned academic recognition on the Dean's List.

After graduating from South Texas College of Law, David became the first Cooper attorney hired directly after law school. In his capacity as Litigation Counsel, David managed a docket that included environmental, product liability, toxic tort, real estate, insurance coverage and commercial litigation. Justice Medina also taught Advanced Civil Trial Advocacy as an Adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law and Appellate Advocacy at the University of Houston Law Center. 

In 1996, Governor George W. Bush appointed David to the 157th State District Court. Justice Medina was elected that November. He was subsequently re-elected.

Justice Medina rejoined Cooper in 2000 as the Associate General Counsel responsible for all aspects of complex litigation and product-safety matters domestically and internationally. During his tenure, Cooper prevailed in every litigation taken to trial or appeal, including a case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In January 2004, Justice Medina returned to public service when he was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to serve as General Counsel to the Governor. Justice Medina had the privilege of serving the Governor until November of that year, when he was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court. In November 2006, Justice Medina was elected to a full term and served Texas until December 31, 2012. He authored over 90 Supreme Court opinions. In addition to his Judicial duties, David served as deputy-liaison to the Texas Supreme Court Rules Advisory Committee and the Preservation of Historical Court Records.

Since returning to private practice in January 2013, Justice Medina has successfully represented clients throughout Texas in various trials and appeals. His clients have prevailed in state district courts, courts of appeals, the Texas Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Representative Clients

  • Texas Medical Center
  • Brookfield Properties
  • Harris County
  • Hidalgo County

Professional Affiliations

  • Fellow of the State Bar of Texas
  • Fellow Houston Bar Association
  • Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas
  • Texas Bar College
  • Access to Justice - Defender
  • American Bar Association
  • Asian American Bar Association of Houston - Honorary Member
  • Hispanic National Bar Association
  • Hispanic Bar Association of Houston
  • Houston Bar Association
  • Mexican American Bar Association of Texas and Houston
  • Federal Bar Association

News

News

Presentations

Seminars & Presentations

Publications

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