Attorney Profiles

John J. Specia, Jr. was Judge of the 225th District Court, Bexar County, Texas, from May of 1988 when he was appointed by the Governor. He was re-elected without opposition in 1990, 1994, 1998, and 2002. Judge Specia retired at the completion of his term on December 31, 2006.

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

John 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 matters, summary judgment hearings, non-jury trials and jury trials.

Mediation Calendar

Telephone: 210.734.7092   ext. 1137

Practice Areas: Mediation, Arbitration, Dispute Resolution & Private Judging

Qualified Impartial Third Party pursuant to Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §154.052 (2006).

Shareholder

1975 St. Mary's University of Law, Juris Doctor, San Antonio, Texas

1972 University of Texas at Austin, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Austin, Texas.

The following is a representative listing of complex cases that he has directly presided over while serving as Judge for the 225th District Court:

Cause No. 88-CI-21620; William A. Harley vs. James B. Benedict, M.D.

Cause No. 88-CI-17229; Valero Interstate Transmission vs. John L. Clanton (Take or pay, breach of contract)

Cause No. 89-CI-08568; Stewart Windeler vs. Julio Palmaz, M.D. (Six-week breach of contract jury trial involving a patented medical device [the Palmaz stent])

Cause No. 92-CI-06899; Paul Hatton vs. National Union Fire Insurance Company

Cause No. 93-CI-04237; Purvis Insurance Agency vs. General Electric Capital

Cause No. 95-CI-12541; Chromalloy Gas Turbine vs. United Technologies Corporation (Three-month anti-trust jury trial)

Cause No. 97-CI-06922; Charles Messervey vs. Northbrook (Insurance fraud)

Cause No. 98-CI-02840; Wayne Urbanowski vs. Bruce McGovern (Medical malpractice jury trial)

Cause No. 99-CI-12469; TPLP vs. City of San Antonio

Cause No. 99-CI-13471; Robert Salter vs. AH Belo Company (Employment contract dispute)

Cause No. 2003-CI-16587; HM Jr. Auto Sales vs. South Point Pontiac-Cadillac

Cause No. 2003-CI-04424; Tetco, Inc. vs. ExxonMobil Oil Corporation (Four-week breach of contract jury trial)

1992 "Crisis in Foster Care," 55 Tex. B.J. 490

1985-1992 Various Articles in Alamo City Children's Advocacy Center and CASA

1981 (Contributor) "Law and the Practice of Psychiatry," The American College of Psychiatrists

1980 "Courtroom Testimony by Mental Health Professionals," Texas Psychologists, Vol. 32

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

2004 - Distinguished Law Graduate, St. Mary's Law School
2001 - Dale Wood Award (Award for outstanding protection of children by the Judiciary)
2001 - St. Mary's University - School of Law, Rosewood Gavel Award (Award for outstanding Judicial Service)
1999 - Special Commendation, Texas Association for Marriage & Family Therapy
1998 - CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Judge of the Year

Married to Bettsie Specia.