Sandra’s Story
The daughter of a fearless immigrant mother, Ms. Avila Ramirez learned perseverance and determination through watching her mother raise three children mostly on her own. Her mother came to the U.S. from Mexico at the age of 18, and worked hard despite facing great injustice and heartbreak, yet never lost her optimism and resilience.
The first in her family to graduate high school and college, Ms. Avila Ramirez obtained her B.A. in Criminal Justice from St. Edward’s University in Austin and her law degree from the Texas Tech University School of Law in Lubbock.
As a migrant farmworker, she traveled with her family throughout the country and spent her summers harvesting crops until her junior year in high school. As she grew older, she learned to reflect on her experiences and not only appreciate, but be proud of, her humble roots. Being a migrant farmworker gave her a work ethic that has served her well in life and her professional career.
Maria Antonia Gutierrez (1949 - 2020)
Compassion
Growing up, Ms. Avila Ramirez and her family received government assistance, clothing and school supplies from compassionate organizations and people. That kindness from strangers instilled in her a desire to “pay it forward,” a virtue she and her husband have passed on to their son, and which she will continue on the bench.
Experience
A practicing attorney for 24 years, Ms. Avila Ramirez spent 18 years as a prosecutor in both Chicago and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office in Austin, and 5 years working for Legal Aid. She now has her own legal practice consisting primarily of indigent criminal defense with a focus on representing Spanish-speaking clients in both the adult and juvenile justice systems.
Public Service
Her commitment to public service began as a volunteer firefighter and EMS first responder at twenty years old. As a student in college and law school she mentored at-risk children and volunteered at the local rape crisis center. She has served on her son’s school board and on the PTO, has volunteered at a local food pantry and donates time and resources to local organizations.
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