Sofia Adrogué was sworn in as a judge of the newly-established Texas Business Court, Eleventh Division, this Fall. Adrogué, a 1991 honors graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, was recently appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott, and will serve a two-year term.
Governor Abbott Announces Appointments To New Houston Business Court Division | Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott
“As a lawyer, I have served as an advocate, as a facilitator, and as a conciliator, resolving a litany of issues, from the simplest to the most complex. Serving as a member of the judiciary is truly reaching the summit of my professional goals. From taking the oath of citizenship 35 years ago to the oath of an officer of the court as a member of the Texas Bar 32 years ago, my American Dream is now realized with the opportunity to serve with formidable privilege and commensurate responsibility as a judge,” said Adrogué.
UH Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes said, “We are proud to see one of our own step into this pivotal position. Judge Adrogué’s intellect, dedication, deep understanding of business law, and commitment to justice make her an exemplary choice. She exudes the highest ethical standards and is a brilliant scholar!”
The inaugural specialized trial court, with two presiding Judges in Houston, oversees certain complex business disputes from Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Matagorda and Wharton counties. The Business Court has limited concurrent jurisdiction with state district courts. It may hear cases with at least $5 million in controversy if the action relates to corporate governance or derivative proceedings, among other considerations as well as cases exceeding a $10 million amount-in-controversy if the action arises out a qualified transaction, or is against an organization or officer arising out of a violation of the Finance Code or Business and Commerce Code, again subject to specific exclusions. Also, the Business Court has jurisdiction over cases against publicly traded companies without regard to an amount-in-controversy if the action’s subject matter otherwise would be subject to the Business Court’s jurisdiction.
TJB | About Texas Courts | Business Court
Most recently, Adrogué served as a Senior Partner at Diamond McCarthy LLP’s Houston office.
“Sofia is a tireless devotee to all the best things about humanity as well as a dedicated servant to the public and the legal profession,” Allan Diamond, Diamond McCarthy’s Managing Partner, said in a statement. “She will unflinchingly devote her talent, skills, and intellect to making the first-ever Texas Business Court a model example of how justice should be impartially applied in complex business disputes while displaying the highest level of demeanor and appropriate grace from the bench.”
Throughout her career, Adrogué has specialized in complex and high-stakes litigation, including breach of contract, class action lawsuits, cross-border and international cases, health care and a variety of business divorce matters.
Adrogué is the founding Editor of the Texas Business Litigation treatise, now in its Fifth Edition. Her business law acumen has earned her a litany of appointments and more than 40 awards.
Among other accolades, Adrogué was named a World Affairs Council of Greater Houston Global Leader of Influence, a Hall of Fame inductee to the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber, one of the Most Powerful and Influential Women of Texas by the National Diversity Council, and one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers. She was also a UH Law Center Immigration Clinic Arrival Award recipient.
Having published or spoken on over 250 occasions, she was selected as a life fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and Houston Bar Association as well as a fellow of the American Bar Foundation. For her public service, the City of Houston proclaimed and designated July 10, 2004 and December 18, 2018 as “Sofia Adrogué Day.”
In her first role after obtaining her J.D. from the Law Center, Adrogué was a law clerk for the Hon. Jerre S. Williams in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Soon thereafter, Adrogué served as an adjunct professor at UHLC.
In addition to the Law Center, Adrogué’s educational background includes completion of the Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School, service as the U.S. keynote graduation speaker, U.S. Representative, and an alumna of HBS OPM. Adrogué received her bachelor’s degree from Rice University in 1988, specializing in English and legal studies,magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and like UHLC, on a full academic scholarship.
Original source can be found here.