Xavier Rodriguez

Xavier Rodriguez (born 1961) is a former Justice on the Texas Supreme Court and currently sits on the bench as a Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.

Rodriguez was born in 1961 San Antonio, Texas. He received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University (A.B., History), a graduate degree from the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs (M.P.A.), and a law degree from the University of Texas Law School.

Prior to assuming the bench, he was a partner in the international law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski. Rodriguez was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court in 2001 by Governor Rick Perry. He was defeated for election in the Republican primary in 2002. His challenger was Steven Wayne Smith. Rodriguez outspent Smith $558,000 to $9,500.

After his defeat, Rodriguez returned to private practice briefly before being appointed to the Federal District Court for the Western District of Texas in San Antonio by President George W. Bush.

Rodriguez has been considered a candidate for a vacancy on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, along with District Judge Marina Marmolejo.

Rodriguez is a regular speaker on continuing legal education seminars and has authored numerous articles regarding employment law, discovery and arbitration issues. He is past chair of the State Bar of Texas Labor and Employment Council and Chair of the State Bar Paralegal Committee. Rodriguez has served on numerous state and community boards, including the State Board for Educator Certification, Texas Lutheran University Board of Regents, South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, San Antonio Area Foundation, the Alamo Area Boy Scouts Council, and Respite Care of San Antonio. He served in the United States Army Reserve as an officer from 1983 to 1993 after receiving his commission from the ROTC program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.