For Random Profiles, we randomly pick one of our 94,000-plus attorneys and do a Q&A. We’ve found that every Texas lawyer has an interesting story. Will yours be next?

The part of my job I do best is: Relating to the youths with whom I am privileged to work; some can be challenging but most are really fun and inquisitive and intelligent (and very street savvy), and they keep me on my toes.

Bet you didn’t know: that I’m a Bexar County Master Gardener and that I volunteer regularly with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Family: Married to my wonderful, supportive husband, Richard, who is in quality assurance for a local food manufacturing company.

Areas of practice: Child welfare law (represent lots of children, some parents, through the Abuse and Neglect Courts of Bexar County)

Education: B.A. (Political Science & English) from St. Mary’s University and J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law

Another little known fact: Most people don’t know that I was a part-time Judge for the Municipal Court of the City of San Antonio for 18 years.

Bad habit: That I hardly ever sit still; I always have to be doing something.

Community involvement: In the Fall of 2009, a colleague Brenda Knowles and I formed a nonprofit organization, YTIA (Youth Transitioning into Adulthood) to assist youths aging out of foster care; more information about the organization can be found at www.ytia.org.

Current project: Volunteering the second Saturday of every month with the wonderful youths of Team YTIA

Favorite TV program: Big Bang Theory

Favorite musician: Joe Satriani, guitarist

Favorite movie: Gone with the Wind

The last movie I saw: Ender’s Game

Favorite sport: Football, what else? (Go, Eagles)

Favorite food: Anything Italian

Hobbies: Love to craft and paint

If I had more time, I would: be outside more “digging in dirt.”

If I wasn’t an attorney, what profession would I have been in?: I would have been a geologist. I even I took an oil and gas course in law school; Ernie Smith was a great teacher.

Mary Elizabeth works at Mary Elizabeth Fuentes Valdez Attorney at Law in San Antonio.

You can also view Mary Elizabeth’s TexasBar.com profile.

Prizes
It’s not every day that you’re randomly picked from among 94,000 peers. To commemorate, randomly-profiled attorneys receive a prize.

Update Your Online Profile
Have you updated your attorney profile lately? Go to My Bar Page on TexasBar.com, log in, and click "Update My Profile." While you’re at it, click “My Directory Options” and add a photo, law firm link, and Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and blog accounts – all for free.

Opinions and statements expressed in these profiles are those of their subjects – not the State Bar of Texas.