Wawi Tijerina

Wawi is a native Laredoan, educated in the Laredo public school system, and she graduated from Martin High School in 1976. Despite coming from humble beginnings, Wawi refused to let go of her dream to go to college. She attended Laredo Junior College, where she obtained an Associate of Arts degree in 1978. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1979 from Southwest Texas State University, after which she returned to Laredo to do her graduate work at Laredo State University. In 1982, Wawi began her studies at Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law and obtained her Doctor of Jurisprudence in May 1985.

After admission to the State Bar of Texas, she began practicing law and has been doing so for 35 years. She also worked as a professor for the Regional Police Academy from 1989 – 1998. In 1998 she was elected as Judge for the Municipal Court of the City of Laredo, Texas, where she served until 2002. It was through her concern for the citizens of Laredo and her determination that she was able to convince the City Council of the need for a new Municipal Court building that could comfortably accommodate the citizens. Wawi also worked as a Criminal Justice Professor at Laredo Community College from 1988 – March 2008, having had the privilege of teaching many who are now Laredo’s finest police officers and federal agents. Numerous professional organizations and community involvement of which Wawi has been a part of the American Bar Association, Texas Bar Association, Webb County Bar Association, Webb County Women’s Bar Association (Founder), Women’s City Club, United Way, Delta Kappa Gamma, Texas Community College Teachers Association, Community College Criminal Justice Educators of Texas, American Association of University Women and the Laredo Gateway Rotary Club. She has served on the Advisory Boards of Crimestoppers, S.C.A.N. (Stop Child Abuse and Neglect), Children’s Advocacy Center, Special Populations, Regional Police Academy, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, South Texas Workforce Development Board (Vice-Chair), Drug Elimination Program and Casa Misericordia Shelter for Battered Women. Wawi is a graduate of Leadership Laredo (1995) and Leadership Texas (2001). Wawi is married to Omar Tijerina and together they have one son, Omar Tijerina, Jr. and their daughter-in-law Jamie. She has two beautiful grandchildren, Eliana and Omar Richard.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Attorney at Law with more than 35 years legal experience handling diverse civil and criminal litigation;
• 20 years experience as Criminal Justice Professor;
• Over 9½ years experience as a Police Academy Instructor;
• Municipal Court Judge for the City of Laredo, Texas;
• County Commissioner for Webb County, Texas;
• Skilled communicator.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2007-pres. WEBB COUNTY, Laredo, Texas
County Commissioner

• Currently represents the largest precinct in Webb County on the Commissioners’ Court.
• Assists in the budgetary decisions for all areas of Webb County, including the judiciary, law enforcement, roads and bridges and all support departments.
• Oversee the operation of four community centers, a self-help center and nutrition center.
• Represents Webb County in numerous boards and committees.

1989-pres. Law Office of Rosaura “Wawi” Tijerina
Attorney at Law

• Litigate hundreds of state cases, including civil, criminal and probate cases that cover a broad range of legal issues.
• Develop and implement litigation, discovery, settlement and trial strategies.
• Represent clients in mediations, arbitration and settlement negotiations.
• Represent clients in jury trials, court trials and appeals.
• Counsel clients on a variety of complex issues.

August 1988 – March 2008: Laredo Community College
Criminal Justice Professor

• Taught thousands of students, which included some of the finest Police Officers, State and Federal Agents who continue to serve our community.
• Known for an interactive teaching style that encouraged student participation and enthusiasm while facilitating learning.
• Developed syllabi, teaching models and peer-to-peer teaching to foster collaborative learning.
• Always encouraged a high degree of student involvement though presentation of relevant issues and interactive teaching styles.
• Assisted students with research topic selections; edited and evaluated student writing projects; prepared and graded examinations;
• Consistently received excellent evaluations from students.

January 1999 – 2002: Juvenile Referee

• Heard detention hearings regarding juvenile offenders.

May 2, 1998 – 2002: City of Laredo, Texas
Municipal Court Judge

• Heard all traffic violations, appeals and trials related to motor vehicle violations.

January 1989 – August 1998: Regional Police Academy, Instructor

August 1985 – August 1988: Webb County District Attorney’s Office, Paralegal

August 1980 – May 1982: Hon. U.S. Congressman Abraham Kazen, Jr., Staff Member

February 1979 – July 1988: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census, Staff Member

September 1978 – May 1979: Southwest Texas State University Police, Staff Member

September 1977 – May 1978: Laredo Junior College – Student Activities