Valerie G. Zarate

Drafting Attorney

Education & Licensure

Texas State Bar License
Admitted October 2022
State Bar No. 24132267

St. Mary’s University School of Law, San Antonio, Texas
Doctor of Jurisprudence, May 2022
St. Mary’s Law Journal — Published Comment:
“Disposable Immigrants: The Reality of Sexual Assault in Immigration Detention Centers,”
53 St. Mary’s L.J. 619 (2022)

The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology; Minor in Psychology, May 2017

Experience

Bashara Schwartz, PLLC, San Antonio, Texas
Associate Attorney — October 2022 – Present
Represent clients in family law matters, including divorce, custody, and support cases; draft and review pleadings, discovery requests, and responses; conduct legal research and prepare trial briefs and motions; communicate with clients, opposing counsel, and court personnel; attend mediations; and organize comprehensive trial folders.

Law Clerk — August 2022 – October 2022

Laubach Law Office, PLLC, San Antonio, Texas
Law Clerk — May 2020 – May 2022
Assisted attorneys in drafting divorce and SAPCR pleadings, Rule 11 agreements, and probate filings; managed probate updates and prepared all court documents; conducted research, organized trial binders, and attended hearings.

Center for Legal and Social Justice, San Antonio, Texas
Student Attorney (Clinical Program) — January 2021 – May 2021
Represented clients under supervision in divorce, name change, and estate planning matters; drafted pleadings, correspondence, and legal documents for court submission.

Lyttle Law Firm, PLLC, Austin, Texas
Legal Assistant / Paralegal — April 2018 – July 2019
Supported attorneys in immigration and family law cases; maintained case calendars, scheduled consultations, organized case files, and prepared immigration applications and evidentiary packets.

Rubin Law Firm, PLLC, Austin, Texas
Legal Assistant — April 2017 – July 2017
Managed scheduling of mediations and immigration appointments; drafted and translated immigration documents; liaised with clients for updates.

Recognitions

• San Antonio Scene Magazine — “Rising Star,” 2023
• San Antonio Scene Magazine — “Top S.A. Family Lawyers,” 2024