Melanie M. Lira

Melanie Lira was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. As the first born citizen in her family, Melanie understood both the hardships of a migrant life as well as the pressures of first generation citizenship. 

At the young age of 16, she began her college education locally. She attended San Antonio College, and it was here that she discovered the beauty and empowerment of education. She went on to transfer to the University of Houston, and after exploring an array of majors, she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Art history and Religious studies. 

Shortly before graduating, she was accepted into the University of Denver Iliff School of Theology’s Graduate program for a Masters Degree in Religious Studies. Here, she began working with nonprofits that assisted the undocumented community, and she witnessed firsthand the importance of legal advocation. Melanie had found her calling. Upon graduation, she packed her bags, moved back to San Antonio, and took her LSAT’s.

She was accepted into St. Mary’s School of Law and graduated in 2015. While attending law school, she earned her second masters degree in international relations with a focus on conflict resolution. She graduated from her second masters program in the top five percent of her class.

Over the course of her career, Melanie has been revered for her commitment to human rights and social justice, both domestically and internationally. From 2014 to 2017 she worked with the non profit Amal ou Salam to help Syrian refugee children. And in 2015, she received the Alice Wright Franzke Feminist Award and the Justice Alma Lopez Women in Law Leadership Award. Melanie currently works as an Immigration Staff Attorney at The Trevino Law Firm, serves as a Bexar County Court Appointed Attorney, and an immigration attorney at her own, Lira | Cazares Defense Firm, PLLC where 40% of cases are reserved for indigent respondents and offered pro-bono.

Melanie’s experience and vast education make her amply qualified to preside over County Court 7. This particular court has an extensive backlog, and as Judge, she would make it her primary focus to reduce the backlog and ensure justice is served for all.