About Aaron Samuel
Aaron Samuel Haas is a retired civil district court judge who dedicated his career to serving the people of Bexar County, Texas. He was elected as the judge of the 285th District Court, a position he held from January 1, 2019, until his retirement on December 31, 2022. During this time, Judge Haas presided over thousands of civil cases, which encompassed many legal issues, including family law, personal injury, business litigation, employment disputes, property matters, and contract disputes. His experience in conducting both jury and non-jury trials showcased his understanding of civil litigation. Before his appointment to the bench, Judge Haas laid a solid academic foundation for his legal career. He earned his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 2006, where he served as an editor for the Harvard Journal of International Law.
Additionally, he participated in the Community Enterprise Project, which focused on assisting small businesses in the Boston area. Prior to attending Harvard, Judge Haas completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2000. This diverse educational background gave him critical thinking skills and a broad perspective on legal issues. Following law school, Judge Haas began his legal practice at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid in San Antonio. There, he led over 200 cases related to property, housing, and consumer law. His caseload included landlord-tenant disputes, debt defense, deceptive trade practices, foreclosures, public housing issues, fair housing cases, mobile home disputes, Section 8 hearings, and contracts for deed.
This role not only developed his litigation skills but also provided him with a knowledge of various areas of civil law, preparing him for his future role on the bench. In addition to his judicial experience, Judge Haas is board-certified in immigration and nationality law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization—an honor held by fewer than 200 attorneys in Texas. He served as a professor of immigration law and was the founding director of an immigration clinic at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. This academic role allowed him to contribute to the education of future lawyers while furthering his expertise in immigration law. After retiring from the bench, Judge Haas transitioned into alternative dispute resolution — He now offers mediation, arbitration, and private judging services through Judge Haas Mediation. His experience in civil litigation and judicial proceedings makes him a valuable resource for resolving disputes outside the courtroom.
Judge Haas is actively involved in several professional organizations, including the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Family Law Section, and Immigration and Nationality Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. He is also affiliated with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the National Association of Consumer Advocates, the Inns of Court. The National Lawyers Guild, reflecting his commitment to the legal community and ongoing professional development.
