Hon. John J. Specia Jr.

JOHN J. SPECIA, JR. – 

Judge Specia's current practice is limited to Mediation, Arbitration, and Private Judging.  He has presided and remains involved in Multi-District Litigation matters, and also serves as a Senior District Court Judge, subject to assignment.

His nearly fifty years of legal experience includes private practice and serving as the 225th District Judge from 1988 until his retirement in 2006, while serving as the administrative judge for Bexar County Texas, for four of those years.

Appointed by Governor Rick Perry in 2012 as Commissioner of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Judge Specia served in that capacity until 2016.  He spearheaded an overhaul of Child Protective Services, developed system enhancements and efficiencies, and managed significant growth of the child abuse and neglect prevention and early intervention program.  Under his leadership, Texas became a national leader in child welfare transformation efforts and research into child abuse and neglect fatalities.

As Judge of the 225^th District Court, he presided over all types of cases (i.e., contract disputes, construction disputes, medical and legal malpractice, personal injury, and business litigation) and family law cases (i.e., divorces, custody, visitation, and adoptions).

Judge Specia has extensive experience in all aspects of civil trial practice.  Due to the unique Bexar County rotating docket system, on a daily basis he presided over all types of pre-trial matter, summary judgments hearings, non-jury trials and jury trials.  These include medical malpractice cases, personal injury cases, and complex business litigation.

Judge Specia remains Of Counsel with Mimari Anderson Cilfone & Watkins, PLLC.

• St. Mary's University of Law, Juris Doctor, San Antonio, Texas - 1975
• University of Texas at Austin, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Austin, Texas - 1972

• Chair - Texas Supreme Court Task Force on Foster Care
• Chair - Texas Supreme Court Task Force on Child-Protection Case Management and Reporting
• Board Member - National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (2000-2006)
• Board of Directors - Central Catholic Marianist High School
• Past Member, Board of Directors - Communities in Schools
• Past Member - Children's Advocates of San Antonio (CASA), Advisory Board
• Past Member - Sexual Assault Resource Center, Advisory Board
• Past President - Catholic Family and Children's Services, San Antonio Archdiocese

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