After a distinguished 11-year tenure as the Presiding Judge of the 73rd District Court in Bexar County, Texas, Former Judge David A. Canales has transitioned to his new role as an arbitrator, mediator, and private judge. With his extensive experience overseeing thousands of hearings and trials in civil and family law during his judicial career, Former Judge Canales is ready to leverage his exceptional proficiency in handling complex legal disputes. His deep understanding of the law, honed through managing a wide array of cases, positions him as an authoritative figure in arbitration. His educational background, with a B.A. in psychology from the University of Texas-Pan American and a J.D. from Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where he graduated summa cum laude and class valedictorian, underpins his analytical and empathetic approach to dispute resolution.

Beyond the bench, Former Judge Canales has actively contributed to the legal community, holding significant positions such as the Chair of the Bexar County Juvenile Board and Judicial Co-Chair of the San Antonio Legal Services Association. His involvement with the Texas Judicial Committee on Information Technology and the State Bar of Texas Civil Rules Committee, among others, reflects his commitment to legal excellence and innovation. Notably, Former Judge Canales founded the E.A.G.L.E.S. Court, a restorative initiative for foster care teens, showcasing his dedication to transformative justice. As an arbitrator, Former Judge Canales brings this wealth of judicial experience, a passion for fair and equitable resolution, and a distinguished record of legal service, offering a comprehensive and balanced approach to resolving civil disputes.

Education + -

Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Houston, Texas
Juris Doctor, summa cum laude May 2006
University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, Texas
BA Psychology, Minors: Criminal Justic and Music Dec 1998

Experience + -

Canales Law & ADR, San Antonio, Texas
Attorney, Mediator, Arbitrator, and Private Judge Feb 2024 – Present
73rd Judicial District Court, State of Texas/Bexar County, San Antonio, Texas
State District Judge Jan 2013 – Feb 2024
Law Firm of David A. Canales, PLLC, San Antonio, Texas
Managing Member and Attorney Oct 2007 – Dec 2012
Sidley Austin, L.L.P., Chicago, Illinois
Summer Associate; Associate Attorney May 2005 – Aug 2005; Sept 2006 – Sept 2007
Dannye Holley, Dean and Professor of Law, Houston, Texas
Teaching Assistant - Criminal Law Fall Semesters, 2004 and 2005
Edieth Wu, Professor of Law, Houston, Texas
Teaching Assistant – Constitutional Law Spring Semester, 2005
Farmers Insurance Group
Claims Representative Jan 1999 – Jan 2002

Memberships & Affiliations + -

Bexar County Juvenile Board
Board Chair Feb 2023 – Feb 2024
Bexar County Juvenile Board
Chair, Facilities Committee Feb 2015 – Jan 2023
Bexar County Juvenile Board
Member Jan 2013 – Feb 2024
Bexar County Purchasing Agent Board
Board Chair June 2015 – Jan 2022
Bexar County Purchasing Agent Board
Member Jan 2013 – Jan 2022
Judicial Committee on Information Technology
Liaison, Non-Voting Member Aug 2015 - Present
Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission Equity Workgroup
Member Dec 2020 - Present
State Bar of Texas Civil Rules Committee
Member May 2023 - Present
State Bar of Texas Professionalism Committee
Member 2015 - 2021
State Bar of Texas Professionalism Committee
Honorary Member 2021 - Present
San Antonio Legal Services Association (formerly Community Justice Program)
Judicial Co-Chair 2017 - Feb 2024
American Inns of Court, The Williams S. Sessions American Inn of Court
Executive Committee, Treasurer Aug 2023 - Present
American Inns of Court, The Williams S. Sessions American Inn of Court
Executive Committee, Secretary Aug 2022 - July 2023
American Inns of Court, The Williams S. Sessions American Inn of Court
Member Aug 2016 - Present

Honors & Awards + -

American Bar Association Award
2006
San Antonio’s Best Lawyers
2011; 2012
William S. Sessions American Inn of Court Gerry Goldstein Award
Course Director, Advanced Personal Injury Law Course, State Bar of Texas
July 2018

Speaking / Authoring / Seminars + -

Speaking Engagements

Damages in Civil Litigation, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Trial Judges
Panel: Effective Exhibits
February 1, 2024, Webcast

7th Amendment Symposium, American Board of Trial Advocates, San Antonio Chapter
Topic: Panel Discussion – Jury Trials
January 13, 2024, San Antonio, Texas

Prosecuting & Defending Truck and Auto Collision Cases, State Bar of Texas
Topic: How to Settle Your Case Ethically

Texas General Counsel Forum Annual Conference
Topic: New Day, Next Play: A Judicial Perspective
November 10, 2023, Austin, Texas

Texas Minority Counsel Program, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Panel – Legal Implications of A.I.
October 27, 2023, Houston, Texas

State Bar Annual Meeting, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Panel – AI Ethics Unveiled: Navigating the ChatGPT Frontier for a Responsible Legal Future
June 22, 2023, Austin, Texas

Lawyering 101 CLE, San Antonio Young Lawyers Association
Topic: Decorum within State Courts
April 21, 2023, Houston, Texas

Prosecuting & Defending Truck and Auto Collision Cases, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Moderator – 18.001 Affidavits
November 18, 2022, San Antonio, Texas

Advanced Evidence and Discovery, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Judges
Panel: What Lawyers Are Doing Right and What Not to Do in the Courtroom
May 20, 2022, San Antonio, Texas

Collections & Creditors’ Rights, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Pre-Judgment Remedies
May 5, 2022, San Antonio, Texas

Annual Family Law Essentials, Family Law Bar Association-San Antonio
Topic: Judge’s Panel – “View from my Seat”
March 25, 2022, Webcast

Judge Chat, American Board of Trial Advocates, San Antonio Chapter
Topic: Judges’ Panel
February 17, 2022, Webcast

Monthly Group CLE Presentation, Williams S. Sessions American Inn of Court
Title/Topic: #RudeTubeNews, Pandemic Passage Pandemonium, COVID-19 and Its Effects on Travel
November 18, 2021, San Antonio, Texas

Advanced Family Law, State Bar of Texas Topic: Cultural Issues in SAPCR Cases
August 4, 2021, San Antonio, Texas

CLE Town Hall, San Antonio Bar Association
Topic: Civil District Courts Zoom Jury Trials Update
May 13, 2021, Webcast

Advanced Evidence and Discovery, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Judges Panel: Resuming Virtual Trials
April 9, 2021, Webcast

Monthly Meeting, Bexar County District Courts Committee
Topic: Observations from the Bench
March 4, 2021, Webcast

Membership Meeting, San Antonio Bar Association
Topic: Virtual Jury Trial Update
February 25, 2021, Webcast

Handling Your First (or Next) Divorce Case, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Top Evidentiary
Issues: A View from the Bench
February 23, 2021, Webcast

Advanced Personal Injury Law, State Bar of Texas
Topic: If the Judge Ain’t Happy, Nobody’s Happy
July 29, 2020, Webcast

Law in the Time of COVID-19, San Antonio Bar Association
Topic: Family Court in Bexar County During COVID-19
June 5, 2020, San Antonio, Texas

Back to School CLE Seminar, Family Law Bar Association-San Antonio
Topic: Judge’s Panel – “Lunch: French Fries or Apple Slices – What a Judge Wants”
February 28, 2020, San Antonio, Texas

Electronic Discovery, St. Mary’s University School of Law (guest presenter)
Topic: Differences in Practice Before the State Courts (Emphasis on Texas)
October 19, 2019, San Antonio, Texas

Bench Motions & Trials XI, Bexar County Style, San Antonio Bar Association and San Antonio Young Lawyers Association
Topic: Ethical Traps
October 18, 2019, San Antonio, Texas

Monthly Group CLE Presentation, Williams S. Sessions American Inn of Court
Title/Topic: The British Legal System
October 23, 2021, San Antonio, Texas

Advanced Family Law, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Judges Panel – What Lawyers Are Doing Really Well
August 12, 2019, San Antonio, Texas

Advanced Personal Injury Law, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Judges Panel – How Not to Shoot Yourself in the Foot at Trial
July 25, 2019, San Antonio, Texas

Advanced Civil Trial, State Bar of Texas Moderator;
Topic: State Judges’ Panel

July 17, 2019, San Antonio, Texas

Advanced Evidence and Discovery, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Ethical Conduct in the Courtroom
May 23, 2019, San Antonio, Texas

Prosecuting & Defending Truck and Auto Collision Cases, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Judges Panel – When It Goes Wrong in the Courtroom
November 18, 2018, Houston, Texas

Monthly Luncheon, San Antonio Bar Association Family Law Section
Topic: Learn the Do's and Don'ts in the Courtroom
July 16, 2018, San Antonio, Texas

Advanced Evidence and Discovery, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Gathering and Presenting Evidence in State Courts
May 18, 2018, San Antonio, Texas

Bench Motions & Trials X, Bexar County Style, San Antonio Bar Association and San Antonio Young Lawyers Association
Topic: Discovery Deep Dive
May 4, 2018, San Antonio, Texas

Juvenile Law CLE, San Antonio Bar Association
Topic: Ethics of Representing Dually Involved Youth
December 8, 2017, San Antonio, Texas

Annual Real World CLE Seminar, San Antonio Trial Lawyers Association
Topic: Judge Panel
September 8, 2017, San Antonio, Texas

Advanced Civil Trial, State Bar of Texas
Topic: State Judges Panel - Dos and Don’ts
July 18, 2017, San Antonio, Texas

Texas Minority Attorney Program, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Judges’ Panel
June 2, 2017, San Antonio, Texas

Litigation Update Institute, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Social Media – How Far Can You Go in Selecting a Jury? Finding It, Proving It Up, Using It
January 26, 2017, San Antonio, Texas

Electronic Discovery, St. Mary’s University School of Law (guest presenter)
Topic: Electronic Discovery in Texas State Courts

Advanced Personal Injury Law, State Bar of Texas

Topic: Judges Panel – Things to Do and Not Do in the Courtroom
July 29, 2016, San Antonio, Texas

Monthly Luncheon, San Antonio Family Lawyers Association
Topic: Information and Tips on Practicing in the Bexar County Civil District Courts
July 5, 2016, San Antonio, Texas

Annual Meeting 2016, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Effective and Ethical Advocacy from the Judge’s Perspective
June 16, 2016, Fort Worth, Texas

Advanced Evidence and Discovery, State Bar of Texas
Topic: Judges Panel – Objections at Trial
May 20, 2016, San Antonio, Texas

Monthly Membership CLE Luncheon, San Antonio Trial Lawyers Association
Topic: A Frank Discussion from the Bench
February 18, 2016, San Antonio, Texas

Bench Trials and Motions, Bexar County-Style VII, San Antonio Bar Association
Topic: Improving Your Summary Judgment Evidence
May 22, 2015, San Antonio, Texas

Extreme Family Law Makeover XIII, San Antonio Bar Association – Family Law Section
Topic: Judicial Panel: A Hex on Both Your Houses – Dealing with Unacceptable Conduct
February 27, 2015, San Antonio, Texas

Family Justice Conference, Texas Center for the Judiciary
Topic: The Ins and Outs of Temporary Orders
January 28, 2015, San Antonio, Texas

Litigation Update Institute, State Bar of Texas
Topic: State Judicial Panel: Dos and Don’ts in My Courtroom
January 16, 2015, San Antonio, Texas

NBI Judicial Forum, National Business Institute
Topic: As Judges See It: Top Mistakes Lawyers Make in Civil Litigation
November 13, 2014, San Antonio, Texas

Real World Annual CLE 2014, San Antonio Trial Lawyers Association
Topic: Top 5 eDiscovery Issues for Trial Lawyers
September 26, 2014, San Antonio, Texas

Monthly CLE Luncheon, San Antonio Family Lawyers Association
Topic: “But He’s Just a Baby! Crafting Possession & Access for Children 3 and Under
June 3, 2014, San Antonio, Texas

Bench Trials and Motions, Bexar County-Style VI, San Antonio Bar Association
Topic: Discovery & E-Discovery from Third Parties
May 16, 2014, San Antonio, Texas

Extreme Family Law Makeover XII, San Antonio Bar Association – Family Law Section Topic: Lead on Judges’
Panel: Real Answers to Real Questions
February 28, 2014, San Antonio, Texas

Monthly CLE Luncheon, Mexican-American Bar Association-San Antonio
Topic: Changes to the Local Rules and the Standing Order
May 14, 2013, San Antonio, Texas

Bench Trials and Motions, Bexar County-Style V, San Antonio Bar Association
Topic: Changes in the Pattern Jury Charges
May 17, 2013, San Antonio, Texas

The Car Crash Seminar: From Sign-Up to Settlement, University of Texas School of Law Continuing Legal Education
Topic: The Adjuster: Dealing With and Negotiating the Claim
August 18-19, 2011, Austin, Texas

REAL WORLD CLE 2010, San Antonio Trial Lawyers Association
Topic: Maximizing Your Claim Pre-Litigation
September 16, 2010, San Antonio, Texas

Scholarship and Articles

“Discovery Deep Dive: Preservation, Production, and Spoliation of Electronically Stored Information and Other Pre-Suit Civil Discovery Issues”
Seminar: Bench Trials and Motions, Bexar County-Style X, San Antonio Bar Association and San Antonio Young Lawyers Association
Article Co-Author, May 4, 2018, San Antonio, Texas

“Default Judgments and Motions for New Trial”
Seminar: Bench Trials and Motions, Bexar County-Style VIII, San Antonio Bar Association
Article Co-Author: May 20, 2016

“Improving Your Summary Judgment Evidence”
Seminar: Bench Trials and Motions, Bexar County-Style VII, San Antonio Bar Association
Article Co-Author, May 22, 2015, San Antonio, Texas

“Discovery & E-Discovery from Third Parties”
Seminar: Bench Trials and Motions, Bexar County-Style VI, San Antonio Bar Association
Article Co-Author: May 16, 2014, San Antonio, Texas

“Changes in the Pattern Jury Charges”
Seminar: Bench Trials and Motions, Bexar County-Style V, San Antonio Bar Association
Article Co-Author: May 17, 2013, San Antonio, Texas

“2(b) or Not 2(b): Emerging Use of 23(b)(2) Injunctive Class Actions”

Seminar: Class Action Litigation 2007, Practising Law Institute
Co-Author, June 11-12, 2007, New York City, New York

Hon. David A. Canales