Shannon Roberta Salmón is an attorney and mediator who previously worked as a prosecutor in Bexar County. She ran for an open district court judgeship in the Democratic primary in 2024 and lost to Christine Hortick. This year she’s one of two candidates challenging Judge Cesar Garcia in the Democratic primary.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
I am 55 years old. I’ve spent my entire career serving our community first as a caseworker, then as a 911 emergency operator, at Legal Aid and for nearly twenty years as a licensed attorney practicing family, criminal, civil, and immigration law.
Much of my work has centered on helping people in crisis: survivors of domestic violence, foster youth, immigrants, and families facing poverty. I’ve always believed that the courts should protect the most vulnerable.
I serve on the board of Blu House, which provides safe, child-centered services for families navigating high-conflict divorce. I’ve advocated for foster youth through the THRU Project and remain an active member of the Junior League, partnering with local nonprofits to strengthen education, family stability, and child wellbeing.
My career has been defined by service, fairness, and accessibility. These experiences give me the judgment, compassion, and grounding needed for the bench.
2. Describe your educational background.
I earned my J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law in May 2006. During law school, I received the Jesse Gamez Endowed Law Scholarship (2004) and a Scholarship for Academic Excellence (2003). I served as President of the Christian Legal Society and was an active member of the Public Interest Law Association, where I worked as a student attorney under a licensed immigration attorney to petition for legal status on behalf of immigrants and their families. I also trained through the Center for Legal and Social Justice.
I received my B.A. in Liberal Arts from Our Lady of the Lake University in December 1999.
3. Describe your professional experience, what type of law you’ve practiced and noteworthy accomplishments.
For nearly two decades, I have practiced among other areas: family, criminal, civil, and immigration law ; areas of law that deeply reflect the realities of the people who appear in Bexar County courts. I’ve represented families in crisis, individuals navigating the criminal justice system, and immigrants seeking safety and stability. This breadth of experience gives me a clear understanding of how court decisions impact everyday lives.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked extensively with indigent clients, survivors of domestic violence, and vulnerable families. I’ve handled hundreds of cases requiring empathy, strong judgment, and the ability to listen carefully before making decisions. My work with community organizations, including Blu House and the THRU Project, has strengthened my perspective on the systemic challenges families face and the importance of accessible, efficient courts.
This combination of courtroom experience and community advocacy prepares me to serve Bexar County with fairness, clarity, and respect.
4. Philosophically, how do you balance the public’s desire for restitution in all types of crimes, while also providing a productive path forward for offenders who don’t pose a danger to the public?
County Court at Law No. 10 is a civil bench, and while its role has defined limits, the principles that guide me are transparency, dignity, and equal access. When people understand the process and feel respected, outcomes are more just , regardless of the case type.
Many cases in Court 10 involve evictions, and these decisions can determine a family’s stability, safety, and future. I believe the court can improve access and fairness by offering both morning and afternoon dockets, ensuring working families can appear. The court can also play a meaningful role by encouraging communication between parties and connecting them with community resources that can prevent homelessness or unnecessary displacement.
Justice should never be about punishment for its own sake. It should be about resolving disputes efficiently, treating every person with dignity, and ensuring the court is a place where fairness is the rule not the exception.
5. Why are you seeking this office, and why did you decide to be a candidate in the political party you chose?
I’m seeking this office because County Court 10 impacts families at some of the most stressful moments of their lives, evictions, small claims, and civil disputes. I believe our community deserves a court that is accessible, efficient, and grounded in fairness. My career has always centered on service, and this role allows me to bring that experience to a place where it can make a meaningful difference.
No political party perfectly captures any one person’s values. But when I looked closely at my own beliefs: such as support for working families, and a justice system that treats everyone with respect. I found that the Democratic Party aligned most closely with those principles. To me, it represents a commitment to reason, compassion, and community-centered leadership.
I’m running to bring those values to the bench and to ensure every neighbor who walks into Court 10 is treated with dignity and respect.
