Thirteenth Court of Appeals

Place 4

Justice Ysmael D. Fonseca was born and raised in South Texas. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. degree, with honors, in Political Science and Spanish Literature in 2003 and a J.D. degree, with honors, in 2009. Prior to attending law school, he served as a Paralegal Specialist for the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. assisting in the prosecution of civil rights cases, with a particular focus on the prosecution of human trafficking offenses. He continued in public service while in law school through his work with the United States Attorney's Office in McAllen, Texas and with Senator John Cornyn in the Judiciary Committee of the United States Senate. During his law school years, Justice Fonseca served in the Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy as note editor, and in the Notre Dame Legal Aid Clinic as a student-lawyer representing indigent clients in small estate, guardianship, and other probate matters.

Justice Fonseca's career as an attorney began with his service as judicial law clerk for Justice Randy Crane of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. He then continued his practice at Guerra & Sabo, PLLC (formerly Guerra, Leeds, Sabo & Hernandez, PLLC) where he specialized in civil defense, municipal law, and small business and non-profit representation. By appointment of Governor Greg Abbott, from 2019 to 2020, Justice Fonseca served as Judge of the 464th District Court of Hidalgo County, and, from 2023 to 2024, Justice Fonseca served as Judge of the 476th District Court of Hidalgo County, courts of general jurisdiction overseeing criminal, family and civil cases.

Justice Fonseca's service extends to several entities and organizations in his community. He currently serves on the boards of the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan Del Valle, McAllen Pregnancy Center, and RGV LEAD. Justice Fonseca is a member of the Texas Bar Foundation and the College of the State Bar of Texas.

Justice Fonseca was elected to Place 4 of the Thirteenth Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024. His tenure on the Court began January 1, 2025.