Meet Clarissa

Justice Clarissa Silva was born and raised in Harlingen, Texas, where she learned the values of faith, hard work, and service to others. Growing up, her family taught her the importance of helping people without expecting anything in return—an outlook that continues to guide her public service today.

Justice Silva was the first in her family to graduate from college and law school. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, with minors in Legal Studies and Political Science, from The University of Texas at San Antonio before earning her Juris Doctor from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.

Her legal career has been defined by service to children, families, and vulnerable Texans. She began her career with the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office, where she handled juvenile matters and cases involving abuse, neglect, and exploitation of the disabled and elderly. Her dedication to protecting those most in need earned her recognition from the Coastal Bend Coalition for Crime Victims’ Rights.

In 2015, Justice Silva became Board Certified in Juvenile Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction held by only a select group of attorneys in Texas. While working at the San Patricio County Attorney’s Office, she represented the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, continuing her work on behalf of children and families throughout Texas.

In 2020, voters elected Justice Silva to the Thirteenth Court of Appeals. Since taking office, she has authored more than 550 opinions and reviews both complex civil and criminal cases from twenty counties across South Texas.

Beyond the courtroom, Justice Silva has shown dedication to the community through mentorship and legal education, helping strengthen trust in the legal system and inspire the next generation of legal professions. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the College of the State Bar of Texas. She has been a lecturer for Texas Continuing Legal Education. She is also a member of the National Association of Women Judges. She currently serves on the planning committee for the Advanced Criminal Law and Criminal Law Foundations.

Today, Justice Silva remains committed to the principles that have guided her entire career: fairness, integrity, impartiality, and respect for the rule of law. She believes every person deserves equal justice and every case deserves thoughtful consideration.

With more than eighteen years of legal and judicial experience, Justice Silva continues to serve South Texas with professionalism, humility, and a steadfast commitment to justice.