Get to Know Adriana Arce-Flores

EXPERIENCE

Law Office of Adriana A. Flores

Attorney/Mediator   Laredo, Texas  2009-Present

Presently in private practice, with specialization in civil litigation, specifically; Oil and Gas, Wills and Trusts, Transactional Real Estate, Business Corporations, Tax law and Employment Law.  Significant Federal criminal and civil practice, including; white-collar defense, O.C.D.E.F. cases, narcotics and civil forfeitures. Certified Mediator for both State and Federal Courts; concentrating on Business litigation and Multi-party contract disputes.  Mediator for all District Courts in Webb and Zapata County.  Mediator for the Southern District of Texas.  Local counsel for several corporate businesses, specifically oil and gas corporations, and employment law litigants in South Texas.

United States Courts- United States Magistrate Judge-Southern District of Texas

Laredo Division  Appointed 2000-2008

        First Hispanic woman appointed to serve as United States Magistrate Judge, for the Southern District of Texas, Laredo Division. I served an eight year term, from 2000 through 2008. Presided in the U.S. District Court over all Criminal and Civil matters within our jurisdiction, primarily, the Laredo division. Assigned all criminal matters, all misdemeanor offenses, all felony cases; from grand jury indictment through trial.  Presided over one of the largest criminal dockets in the United States which provided extensive Judicial experience in research and writing. Prepared written opinions, both, published and unpublished, in the 5th Judicial Circuit.  Excellent professional relationship with all Federal agencies, including U.S. Border Patrol, INS/CBP, DEA, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and  F.B.I.  Assigned all civil cases from filing through trial, by agreement.  Presided over employment disputes, forfeiture proceedings, personal injury, contract law, and fraud.  Preparation of all opinions in motions to dismiss, summary judgment proceedings, discovery issues and trial.

     The only U.S. Magistrate Judge in Laredo to serve as Judge and Mediator. Handled through mediation, all Federal civil cases assigned to my Court. Mediated significant number of civil matters, for eight (8) years, and settling large percentage of civil docket through the mediation process. I served as mediator for the City of Laredo, the U.S. Government, and large multi-party litigation.

Assistant Federal Public Defender- Southern District of Texas

Laredo Division  1989-2000

   Extensive legal experience in the representation of clients’ defense, in criminal cases, from date of arrest through trial. Courtroom experience includes; misdemeanor cases through large narcotics conspiracies, OCDEF, money-laundering, and human-trafficking offenses in the Southern District of Texas, Laredo division. Extensive trial experience, legal research, preparation of legal documents, and Court hearings.

Teacher- Laredo Independent School District

Laredo, Texas  1984-1986

   Former Middle-School History teacher for Laredo Independent School District, Lamar Middle School.

Education

Texas Southern University- Thurgood Marshall School of Law- Doctorate of Jurisprudence

University of Texas at Austin- Bachelor of Arts

Professional Affiliations

Member of the Bar, State of Texas

Member of the ADR Section, State Bar of Texas

Member of Texas Credentialed Advanced Mediators’

Former Member of the United States Magistrate Judges’ Association

College of the State Bar of Texas

Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity

Licensed by the State of Texas

Licensed by the Appellate and Federal Courts-Fifth Circuit and Southern District of Texas

Notable Awards

Outstanding Young Lawyer- Laredo Young Lawyer’s Association

Presidents Award- Laredo Bar Association

Liberty Bell Chairperson- Jurist Recognition Award

Lulac Council- Tejano Achiever’s Award for Federal Public Service

Recognition Awards for Service - U.S. Attorney’s Office

Recognition Award for Service- INS/ CBP Enforcement Division

Recognition Award for Service- U. S. Border Patrol

Recognition Award for Service- U.S. Probation/ U.S. Pre-trial Services

Bronze Award- United Way of Laredo

Secrets of Success for Women- T.A.M.I.U Leadership Program Speaker

CLE- Federal Courts and the Law- Speaker

Hispanic Heritage Lecture Series- Speaker

American Jurisprudence Award- Juvenile Law

Thurgood Marshall School of Law- Dean’s List