- Certified Mediator, A. A. White Institute, University of Houston
- Certified Family Law Mediator, Harris County Domestic Relations
- Trained Arbitrator, American Bar Association (ABA)
- Presiding Judge, 507th Family District Court for 8 years (2017 – 2024)
- Administrative Judge, Harris County Family Trial Division (2018 – 2020)
- Visiting Judge in Harris and surrounding counties
- Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law
- Board Member-Harris County Juvenile Board (2019 – 2024)
- Graduate, Thurgood Marshall School of Law (1998 – Juris Doctor (J.D.)
- Graduate, University of Houston-Downtown (1995 – B.A. –Accounting)
- Licensed to Practice Law by
- State Bar of Texas, November 1998
- United States Tax Court, December 1998
- United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, May 1999
- Founder/Presenter of Cafecito CLE in Harris County Texas.
Julia Maldonado is the former judge of the 507th District Court. Judge Maldonado served our community as the presiding judge of the 507th from 2017 to 2024. Judge Maldonado is a Certified Family Law Specialist by Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is certified trained mediator by the A.A. White Institute, University of Houston, the Harris County Domestic Relations, and the American Bar Association.
Prior to Judge Maldonado being elected in 2016, she practiced law for eighteen years at the J. Maldonado Law Firm. P.C., where she provided a range of legal services, including but not limited to immigration, criminal defense, civil law, family law, tax law, guardianships and probate. While practicing at the J. Maldonado Law Firm, P.C., Judge Maldonado successfully appealed several cases to the Texas Court of Appeals and Texas Supreme Court.
Judge Maldonado is an active member of numerous legal associations, including but not limited to the State Bar of Texas, College of the State Bar of Texas, American Bar Association, Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists, Mexican American Bar Association, Burta Rhoads Raborn Family Law American Inns of Court.
Before pursuing a career in law, Judge Maldonado worked as an accountant in the construction industry for over fifteen years.