**U.S. District Judge Ernest Gonzalez** was appointed to the Western District of Texas by President Joseph R. Biden in 2024. Before his federal appointment, Judge Gonzalez served as a Senior Attorney Advisor in the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section of the Criminal Division at the U.S. Department of Justice (2023–2024), as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Texas (2004–2023), and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Texas (2000–2004). He began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Bexar County (1994–2000). Judge Gonzalez is fluent in English and Spanish. **Education** - Thurgood Marshall School of Law, J.D., 1993 - University of Texas at San Antonio, B.B.A. with Concentration in Accounting, 1987 **Career** - U.S. District Judge, Western District of Texas (2024–present) - Senior Attorney Advisor, Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, DOJ Criminal Division (2023–2024) - Assistant U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Texas (2004–2023) - Assistant U.S. Attorney, Western District of Texas (2000–2004) - Assistant District Attorney, Bexar County (1994–2000)
**Courthouse:** 111 East Broadway, Del Rio, TX 78840 **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy: Ms. Jessica Patino, (830) 308-6410 - Court Reporter: Ms. Ziyacdah Atkinson Coleman, (830) 308-6431 - Judicial Assistant: Ms. Janie Ward, (830) 308-6465
The rule requires ai disclosure. All parties using generative AI to draft or assist in drafting pleadings must include a Certificate of Generative Artificial Intelligence Usage disclosing AI use, certifying accuracy verification, and certifying no confidential disclosure; applies to civil, criminal, and pro se cases.
All parties using generative AI to draft or assist in drafting pleadings must include a Certificate of Generative Artificial Intelligence Usage disclosing AI use, certifying accuracy verification, and certifying no confidential disclosure; applies to civil, criminal, and pro se cases.