Alumni Civil Servants Archive

The Honorable Carlos Cortez '95

Carlos R. Cortez is the presiding Judge of the 44th State Civil District Court which covers all of Dallas County. 

Judge Cortez is the son of Dallas teachers, a native Texan and Dallas County resident. He graduated from Bryan Adams High School, obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Texas and a law degree from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. 

As an attorney, Cortez’ first trial went all the way to the Texas Supreme Court, and as lead counsel made oral argument to the Texas Supreme Court which resulted in changing 100 years of eminent domain law in Texas (benefiting Texas landowners).

In 2003, Cortez was a member of a legal team that represented the family of an 18-year-old boy who was medically neglected at the Tarrant County Boot Camp, which resulted in a $40.1 million verdict (which was the largest non-economic award in Tarrant County history and the largest jury verdict for a medical negligence claim in the United States in 2003).

In 2004, Cortez was selected by attorneys in Dallas County to D Magazine's list of “Best Lawyers Under 40”.  

In 2004, he provided free legal representation on behalf of a family whose husband and father died in the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City. Cortez was recognized by ATLA, TLC, Inc. and the 9/11 Commission for his pro-bono work for the victim's family.

In 2005, Judge Cortez again provided free legal representation through the Dallas Bar Association to the Hurricane Katrina victims relocated in Dallas County. 

In 2005, attorneys throughout the State of Texas voted Cortez as a "Rising Star/Super Lawyer".

Since his election in 2006, Judge Cortez has presided over several high profile cases, including the consolidated TXU class action/shareholder litigation involving the historic $45 billion sale of Texas’ largest utility company (largest lawsuit of its kind in U.S. history).

Judge Cortez also resolved the highly publicized dispute between the Dallas County Sheriff and the Dallas County Commissioners Court regarding Sheriff Valdez’ attempt to allow the Discovery Channel to do a documentary film of the Dallas County jails.

Since taking the bench, Judge Cortez has been in the Dallas Morning News, Texas Lawyer and various local, state and national publications for his leadership role involving the legal profession and the political scene.
 
The Honorable Tom Corbin '97

Tom Corbin, age 63, grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas as the son of educators—his father served as Superintendent of the public school district and his mother as a school teacher.  Always active in extra-curricular activities, Corbin earned his Eagle Scout Award, was elected Senior Class President, and made Arkansas All-State fullback on his high-school football team.

Corbin’s education includes:  University of Arkansas (B.A. in Economics); Tulane University, Graduate School of Business (M.B.A); Texas Wesleyan Law School (J.D.); George Washington University Law School (LL.M).

Before attending law school, Corbin worked as a building contractor in Tarrant County for 24 years.  He has been active in the Mansfield community where he’s lived since 1975.  He served on the City Council from 1977-83 and 1992-93, including six years as mayor. 

Corbin has practiced law for eleven years and is admitted to practice law in Texas, Arkansas and Washington, D.C.  He is married and the father of five adult children. Corbin now serves as Justice of the Peace in Tarrant County.