Justice Patricia O’Connell Alvarez (Ret.) brings an unparalleled judicial perspective to dispute resolution, shaped by 38 years of distinguished legal service—12 years as an appellate justice and 26 years as a seasoned trial advocate. Her rare dual vantage point allows her to see a case in full relief: what persuades at trial, what survives on appeal, and—most critically—which battles are worth the time, expense, and risk. That comprehensive understanding makes her an exceptionally effective mediator, particularly in cases others struggle to resolve.

Known throughout Texas as a tenacious closer, Justice Alvarez combines incisive case evaluation with an unwavering commitment to resolution. She does not simply facilitate dialogue—she drills down to the core strengths, vulnerabilities, and pressure points of each position, delivering the candid risk assessments parties need to make informed, strategic decisions. Drawing on her authorship of hundreds of appellate opinions and decades in the courtroom, she identifies precisely where cases succeed or fail and translates that insight into clear, credible pathways toward settlement.

Justice Alvarez offers proven expertise across the full spectrum of civil litigation, including catastrophic personal injury, transportation and trucking cases, complex commercial disputes, professional malpractice, construction defects, and fiduciary-duty claims. Her versatility across subject matters, combined with her judicial authority and trial instincts, gives her the credibility necessary to move even the most entrenched parties toward meaningful resolution.

Equally central to her practice is her bilingual capability. Born and raised in Mexico, Justice Alvarez is fully fluent in Spanish and conducts mediations seamlessly in either English or Spanish. She understands that language is not merely a tool of communication, but a source of trust, nuance, and dignity. By offering Spanish-language mediations, she ensures that all parties—regardless of language preference—can participate fully, feel genuinely heard, and engage in the process with confidence and clarity.

Her distinguished leadership includes service as President of the San Antonio Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Former President of the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas, Former Chair of the Hispanic Issues Section of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Bar Director, Trustee of the Texas Bar Foundation, Panel Chair of the Grievance Committee, and as National Director of the Defense Research Institute. Her recent honors include TEX-ABOTA’s 2022 Jurist of the Year Award and the 2025 Mentor of the Year Award from the San Antonio Young Lawyers Association.  

Justice Alvarez’s personal journey—from being born and raised in Mexico to becoming one of Texas’s most respected jurists—deeply informs her approach to mediation. It fuels her resolve, her empathy, and her unwavering belief in the power of resolution. Her induction into San Antonio and Laredo’s Women’s Halls of Fame recognizes not only her remarkable trajectory, but her lasting impact on the legal profession and the communities she serves.

“A closed case is the best case” is more than a motto—it is a promise. Justice Alvarez brings the same determination and discipline that defined her career to every mediation she conducts. When impasse threatens, she persists. When complexity overwhelms, she clarifies. And when resolution seems out of reach, she finds the path forward.

• Duke University School of Law, L.L.M. (2023)
• University of Texas at Austin, J.D. (1987)
• University of Texas at San Antonio, B.B.A. (1982)
• Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Monclova, Coahuila, México 1974-1979 (Administración de Empresas).

• Texas Bar (1987)
• DC Bar (2003)
• Florida Bar (Inactive Status)
• American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
• Association of Attorney Mediators
• Litigation Counsel of America
• Texas Association of Mediators
• Texas Mediator Credentialing Association

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