For Maria Chapa Lopez ’86, the law is more than a profession; it is a calling to serve. Over the course of her distinguished career, Lopez has repeatedly exemplified the highest ideals of justice, public service, and leadership — from her early years as a U.S. Army judge advocate general (JAG) officer to her tenure as the 20th U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida.
The daughter of immigrants from Mexico, the Chicago native was raised in Odessa, Texas, and graduated from the storied Permian High School. As an undergraduate, she double majored in government and Spanish. After earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston, she began practicing law in a U.S. Army uniform.
“Within a week of arriving at my duty post in Germany, I was in the courtroom as a defense attorney,” Lopez said. “Someone’s liberty depended on me. It was a staggering responsibility, but I felt prepared to meet the challenge. I am grateful my education at South Texas Law gave me the skills and the confidence to succeed. It’s the reason I’ve been able to do everything that I have done.”
Rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, Lopez advised commanders and soldiers on complex legal, ethical, and operational matters. “It was an honor to serve my country,” she said. “I was good at my job, and I gained the support and respect of senior officers and my peers.” Her time in the military helped refine the discipline, integrity, and leadership that would define her work in public service.
Following her military service, Lopez joined the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), where she spent nearly two decades tackling some of the nation’s most challenging criminal cases. As an assistant U.S. attorney, she played a central role in dismantling large-scale, international narcotics and organized crime networks.
“The irony is that in law school, I truly disliked admiralty law,” Lopez said. “I would never have guessed I would spend a large portion of my career successfully fighting crime as a maritime lawyer.”
Her commitment to justice and her effectiveness as a prosecutor earned her recognition within the department as a trusted and dynamic leader, leading to her appointment as deputy attaché for the Department of Justice at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. In that role, she represented U.S. law enforcement interests abroad, working closely with the Mexican Attorney General’s Office and other international partners to combat drug trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking.
Her diplomatic efforts contributed to historic cases, including the extradition and prosecution of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, and the successful prosecution of members of the Zeta Cartel responsible for the murder of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent Jaime Zapata. Her work strengthened cross-border collaboration and advanced U.S.-Mexico efforts to dismantle transnational criminal organizations.
In 2018, Lopez was appointed U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, one of the largest federal judicial districts in the country. As the chief federal law enforcement officer for the district, she led a staff of more than 200 attorneys and professionals across five offices.
Her leadership guided the office through a prolonged government shutdown, the COVID-19 pandemic, and periods of civil unrest. She also restructured the office’s criminal division to address evolving national priorities, creating dedicated sections for transnational organized crime, national security and cybercrime, economic crimes, violent crime and narcotics, and special victims.
Under her direction, the Panama Express Strike Force became one of the most successful in the history of the DOJ, seizing more than one million kilograms of cocaine and over $200 million in illicit proceeds. She also launched robust initiatives to protect seniors, combat human trafficking, and uphold civil rights.
Lopez, who resigned from her office in early 2021, continues to serve her country and the legal community with distinction. When speaking with law students who are considering a career in the JAG corps, she thanks them for their desire to serve the nation and tells them what a great choice the military has been for her and her legal career.
The former U.S. Attorney also serves as a mentor to students at South Texas Law and is particularly interested in helping young women succeed.
“I let students know it is now their turn to be the young lawyers making a difference,” Lopez said. “I assure them they can confidently walk into their destiny. I stress the importance of staying open to paths that may emerge. Their future might not be what they now think it will be, but destiny has a way of finding you.”
Most recently, Lopez has been working with the United Nations, training young lawyers and judges across Latin America. “Being involved with justice reform is both exciting and rewarding,” she said. “I am proud to be asked to participate in these efforts, and I am blessed to share what I learned while at South Texas Law – research skills, good writing, and the ability to articulate your case will take you far and help you do justice.”
Her career stands as a testament to the enduring power of the legal education she received, her commitment to public service, and her dedication to principled leadership — values she has carried from the courtroom to the international stage.
