Experience
Defending the Rights of the People (1996-2005)
• Appointed by Judge Daniel Robles as Public Defender of Cameron County Court of Law #3, defending people
• without resources to defend themselves
• Client representation of Spanish Speaking clients for Family and Poverty Law Clinic
• Represented asylum applicants for South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project
• Federal Public Defendant Office for Southern District of Texas Standing up for the People (2005-Current)
• Appointed by District Attorney, Armando Villalobos to serve as Executive First Assistant DA
• Dual commissioned as a Cameron County Prosecutor and a Peace Officer
• Direct Supervision over 16,000 cases
• Direct Supervision of 28 departments
• Attained State and Federal grants to augment budget
• Sword and Shield, A Victims' Support Organization, Board member
• Communities in Schools, Former Board Member
• Cameron County Bail Bond Board, Representative
• Legislative Liaison for Cameron County District Attorney's Office

Innovations
• Enhanced the security of DA's office, case files and computer systems
• Implemented the E-Subpoena system for District Attorney's Office
• Created Policy Manual detailing Attorney and Staff Conduct for District Attorney's Office
• Architect of Pretrial Diversion Program for Cameron County

Education
• University of Texas at Brownsville, ITECC, Police Academy
• University of Houston Law Center, JD
• Mexican Legal Studies Program, Mexico City
• Columbia University, B.A. Comparative Politics (emphasis on Latin America)
• Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan, Merida , Mexico
• Judicial Internship with Southern District of Texas under Judge Filemon B. Vela
• U.S. Agency for International Development (researched points of law)
• Congressional Internship District 8-New York, NY

Personal
• Married to Karen Torres of La Feria
• Son of David and Norma Gonzales of Harlingen