TLIE is happy to announce the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors.
Cynthia Benavides, Weslaco, Texas
Cindy obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree and MBA from Texas Tech in 2006. She was licensed by the State of Texas the same year. After spending a decade with a respected law firm, she opened Benavides Law Firm in the Rio Grande Valley. She has spent all of her legal career as a real estate, business, estate planning and probate lawyer. Her clients praise her professional dedication as a 5-star lawyer and the Hidalgo County Bar Association has named her Member of the Year and given her the Above and Beyond Award on different occasions. Cindy strongly believes in pro bono service, especially for families who adopt or need guardianships for children with special needs. She has served on various boards but at this time is focusing on her clients, TLIE and her young family. Cindy has been married to Alex Benavides for 14 years. They have two boys, A.J. (age 11) and Bo (age 10). While Cindy loves family time at home, she and her family enjoy South Padre Island, ski trips, the Astros or visiting a Major League Baseball Park together.
Aida Montanaro, Brownsville, Texas
Aida has a solo practice in Cameron County as a trial attorney in family law, ranging from custody battles, divorces, adoptions, and CPS matters to more complex issues involving registration of foreign orders, writs of attachment, and UCCJEA issues. Aida holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin in Communication Studies – Political Communication, Master’s Degree in International Relations – Security Policy, and a Law Degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. As a former domestic violence unit prosecutor, Aida has a heavy caseload involving victims of crime, particularly those involving marginalized communities. She has served as Board President of Friendship of Women, a non-profit shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and has previously served as a Board Member of the Cameron County Child Advocacy Center, prior President of the Cameron County Women’s Law Section, Board Member of Maggie and Monica’s House and Board Member for the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce. On her free time, Aida enjoys book clubs, traveling, and being a dog mom.
Jaclyn Roberson, San Antonio, Texas
Jaclyn Roberson is a San Antonio native and graduate of The University of Texas at Austin and Tulane Law School. Licensed since 2003, she practices family law, probate, and estate planning for Roberson Duran Law, PLLC, where she is a senior partner.
A former president of the San Antonio Texas Exes, Jaclyn is the former chair of the Family Law Section of the San Antonio Bar Association, the chair of the Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center Advisory Board and a council member of the African-American Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Texas. Jaclyn has been voted one of San Antonio’s top attorneys by Scene in SA Magazine and San Antonio Magazine. When she is not practicing law, Jaclyn enjoys adventures with her husband, Leon Collins, a mediator and published author.