About Aurora Martinez
Aurora Martinez Jones serves as the presiding judge of the 126th District Court in Travis County, Texas. Elected on November 3, 2020, she officially took office on January 1, 2021. In her current role, Judge Martinez Jones oversees a diverse range of cases, including civil, family, and juvenile matters. Her experience in the legal field began with her appointment as the Associate Judge dedicated to the Travis County Child Protective Services (CPS) Courts on January 2, 2015. This position allowed her to focus on child welfare issues, a passion that has shaped her career. Judge Martinez Jones earned her Bachelor of Arts in Government, with a minor in Spanish, from The University of Texas at Austin in 2001.
She continued her education at The University of Texas School of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctor in 2004. After being admitted to the Texas State Bar on November 2, 2007, she founded The Martinez Jones Law Firm, PLLC. The firm specialized in various areas, including child welfare law, personal injury, probate, real estate, family law, and civil litigation. Her dedication to child welfare earned her certification as a Child Welfare Law Specialist from the National Association of Counsel for Children. In her judicial capacity, Judge Martinez Jones presides over the Travis County Family Drug Treatment Court, specifically the Parenting in Recovery specialty court. This program aims to support parents in overcoming addiction while maintaining their parental rights.
Additionally, she oversees the Crossover Program for Dual Status Youth, which addresses the needs of youth involved in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Her commitment to equity is further demonstrated through her co-founding of the Child Welfare Race Equity Collaborative in Texas, which focuses on promoting equitable practices in child welfare. Beyond her judicial duties, Judge Martinez Jones is actively engaged in various professional organizations. She has served as the chair-elect for the Texas Children’s Justice Act Task Force and previously held the position of president of the Austin Black Lawyers Association. Her leadership extends to the Austin Court Appointed Family Advocates (CAFA), and she is a distinguished Texas Bar Foundation Fellow. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), contributing her expertise to national discussions on juvenile and family law.
Judge Martinez Jones balances her professional life with her family commitments — She and her husband, Mitchell, are proud parents of two daughters. Their family life reflects her values of community, equity, and advocacy, which she brings into her work as a judge. Her journey from law school to the bench exemplifies a deep commitment to improving the lives of children and families in Texas.
