On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly reprimanded former 404th District Judge Elia Cornejo Lopez for her actions during the handling of a family law case. The reprimand followed a review of allegations that Judge Lopez failed to maintain the required decorum and impartiality expected of judicial officers.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Elia Cornejo Lopez,” with case number 21-0178.
The Commission’s findings stemmed from Judge Lopez’s involvement in the case of Aclam T. Garcia, Jr. vs. Jélsnfine B. Cuellar, a matter concerning the modification of a parent-child relationship. On October 1, 2020, attorney Reynaldo Garza, representing Jasmine Cuellar, filed a motion to recuse Judge Lopez from the case, citing concerns over her impartiality. Garza accused Judge Lopez of exhibiting personal bias and claimed that both she and her court coordinator had improperly engaged in the litigation.
In a subsequent ruling issued on October 6, 2020, Judge Lopez recused herself from the Garcia case but responded to Garza’s allegations in a lengthy manner, making disparaging remarks about him. In her 120-page ruling, she described Garza as mentally ill and corrupt, asserting that he had violated attorney-client privilege. Additionally, she referenced other cases involving Garza to support her claims.
That same day, Judge Lopez also recused herself from five additional cases where Garza was involved as counsel, citing the need to clarify her impartiality in light of the recusal motion. However, her comments in the ruling prompted Garza to seek an emergency motion to seal the documents related to the Garcia case and the associated recusal motions. He argued that the information contained in Judge Lopez’s ruling was not relevant to the motions and aimed to harm his reputation.
Following these events, Judge Missy Medary, the presiding judge of the 5th Judicial Administrative Region, granted Garza’s motions to seal the documents pertaining to the recusal.
In her response to the Commission, Judge Lopez defended her actions, stating that her ruling was intended to explain her decision to recuse herself from the other cases involving Garza. She claimed that filing her extensive response in the Garcia case was unintentional, asserting that she only meant to clarify her position.
The Commission’s reprimand is grounded in violations of Canon 3B(4) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, which mandates that judges maintain patience, dignity, and courtesy toward all individuals involved in court proceedings. The Commission also referenced Article V, Section 1-a(6)A of the Texas Constitution, which prohibits judges from engaging in conduct that undermines the integrity of the judiciary.
The reprimand serves as a formal acknowledgment of Judge Lopez’s failure to uphold the standards expected of her office, particularly in her treatment of Garza and in her handling of the recusal motions. This action is part of the Commission’s continuing efforts to maintain public confidence in the judicial system and to protect the public interest.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
