MEET

Judge Maya Guerra Gamble

Maya Guerra Gamble is a lifelong Austinite and the first judge elected to preside over Travis County's 459th District Court.

Before becoming a judge, Maya built her career as a trial lawyer, specializing in Child Protective Services cases and devoting her practice to protecting the most vulnerable in our community. She also worked on whistleblower cases, including one that secured a settlement of more than $100 million against a major hospital chain for fraud.

Maya’s commitment to service extends beyond the courtroom. She has served as Vice President of the Austin Bar Association, launched the inaugural Equity Summit with more than 350 participants, and created mentoring programs to support new lawyers. She also gives her time as a Scoutmaster for a local girls’ troop and serves on the Executive Board of the Capital Area Council of Scouting America.

Maya earned her B.A. and J.D. from Yale University. She and her husband, Chris, have been married for more than 20 years and are proud parents of two children.

    • Austin Bar Association: Vice President, Board of Directors; Chair of Mentoring Committee.

    • Equity Summit Founder: Helped launch and grow this annual event, advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

    • Child Welfare Advocacy: Served on state and county committees to improve outcomes for children in foster care and Child Protective Services.

    • Scouting America: Founder and Scoutmaster of Troop 99; former Cub Scout leader; Executive Board Member, Capital Area Council.

    • PTA Leadership: Volunteer roles at Fulmore Middle School and Bryker Woods Elementary.

    • First judge elected to the 459th District Court.

    • Chair, Travis County Security Committee.

    • Child Welfare Attorney, Solo Practice.

    • Of Counsel, O’Connell & Soifer LLP.

    • Assistant Attorney General, State of Texas.

    • Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice Honors Program.

    • Law Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit.

    • Joseph C. Parker Jr. Diversity Award, Austin Bar Association (2025).

    • Finalist, TMCP Lifetime Achievement Award (2025).

    • U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service (2000).

    • Texas Attorney General’s Merit Award (2002).

    • National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Law Enforcement Award (2003).

    • Named on the 50 most courageous judges of all time by the National College of the Judiciary.

    • Many others recognizing her decades of service and impact.