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Community Involvement
Judge Marisa Flores has a long-standing commitment to public service and community advocacy beyond the courtroom. Her work reflects a deep dedication to protecting families, children, and vulnerable members of our community. Her involvement includes:
✔️ Member, Legal Advisory Board — Catholic Charities of San Antonio
✔️ Former Board Member — National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Texas Regional Office
✔️ Former Board Member — American Red Cross
✔️ Honored as a San Antonio Business Journal "40 Under 40" recipient
Judge Flores believes that leadership extends beyond legal decisions — it’s about showing up for your community every day.
Judge Marisa Flores proudly serves as the Presiding Judge of the 224th Civil District Court in Bexar County, Texas. Before taking the bench, Marisa practiced law at Begum Peláez Prada PLLC, representing individuals and small businesses in a wide range of civil litigation matters. She brings over 13 years of extensive experience in civil litigation, international child custody, and immigration law.
Throughout her career, Marisa has practiced in both state and federal courts, including the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. She has also worked on complex international custody cases filed under the Hague Convention, further expanding her expertise on high-stakes, cross-border legal matters.
Marisa earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Entrepreneurial Studies from St. Mary’s University in 2003. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from the University of Oregon School of Law in 2007. While in law school, she served as a research assistant, contributing to two published works by Professor Steven Bender: ¿Comprende?: Celebrating the Spanish that All Americans Know and One Night in America: Robert Kennedy, César Chávez, and the Future of the Democratic Party.
After law school, Marisa successfully founded and operated her own law firm, The Law Office of Marisa C. Balderas, PLLC, for nine years, focusing on criminal defense, civil litigation, and immigration matters. She later served as Director of Legal Services for Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc. (FVPS), where she led the legal department and advocated for survivors of domestic violence in cases involving protective orders, divorce, child custody, and VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) petitions. In 2018, Marisa joined Begum Peláez Prada PLLC, continuing her work assisting individuals and small businesses with civil litigation.
Marisa’s dedication to the community has been recognized locally and statewide. In 2019, she was named to the San Antonio Business Journal's prestigious 40 Under 40 list. Her commitment to service extends beyond the courtroom — she has served on the Legal Advisory Board for Catholic Charities of San Antonio, as a Board Member for the American Red Cross, and previously as a Board Member for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Texas Regional Office.
In her free time, Marisa enjoys spending time with her family and her two beloved dogs.
Marisa has devoted her career to public service and improving her community. She is now running for re-election as Judge of the 224th District Court to continue that service. Marisa believes this court will continue to benefit from her leadership, founded on compassion, respect, and justice. As Judge, she has earned a reputation for treating everyone who appears before her with dignity and fairness.
"I believe every person who steps into the courtroom deserves to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect — that’s the foundation of true justice."
Marisa Flores
Judge Marisa Flores proudly serves as the Presiding Judge of the 224th Civil District Court in Bexar County, Texas. Before taking the bench, Marisa practiced law at Begum Peláez Prada PLLC, representing individuals and small businesses in a wide range of civil litigation matters. She brings over 13 years of extensive experience in civil litigation, international child custody, and immigration law.
Throughout her career, Marisa has practiced in both state and federal courts, including the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. She has also worked on complex international custody cases filed under the Hague Convention, further expanding her expertise on high-stakes, cross-border legal matters.
Marisa earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Entrepreneurial Studies from St. Mary’s University in 2003. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from the University of Oregon School of Law in 2007. While in law school, she served as a research assistant, contributing to two published works by Professor Steven Bender: ¿Comprende?: Celebrating the Spanish that All Americans Know and One Night in America: Robert Kennedy, César Chávez, and the Future of the Democratic Party.
After law school, Marisa successfully founded and operated her own law firm, The Law Office of Marisa C. Balderas, PLLC, for nine years, focusing on criminal defense, civil litigation, and immigration matters. She later served as Director of Legal Services for Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc. (FVPS), where she led the legal department and advocated for survivors of domestic violence in cases involving protective orders, divorce, child custody, and VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) petitions. In 2018, Marisa joined Begum Peláez Prada PLLC, continuing her work assisting individuals and small businesses with civil litigation.
Marisa’s dedication to the community has been recognized locally and statewide. In 2019, she was named to the San Antonio Business Journal's prestigious 40 Under 40 list. Her commitment to service extends beyond the courtroom — she has served on the Legal Advisory Board for Catholic Charities of San Antonio, as a Board Member for the American Red Cross, and previously as a Board Member for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Texas Regional Office.
In her free time, Marisa enjoys spending time with her family and her two beloved dogs.
Marisa has devoted her career to public service and improving her community. She is now running for re-election as Judge of the 224th District Court to continue that service. Marisa believes this court will continue to benefit from her leadership, founded on compassion, respect, and justice. As Judge, she has earned a reputation for treating everyone who appears before her with dignity and fairness.