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Roxann Pais Cotroneo
Pais Cotroneo Law.
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Biography
Roxann has 25 years of municipal law experience. She worked for the City of Dallas for 14 years as an Executive Assistant City Attorney. She also served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for 8 years and won national awards from the U.S. Department of Justice for her work to improve cities and reduce violent gun crime. After serving Dallas, she served as Harlingen City Attorney for 4 years. Roxann offices in San Antonio and now serves cities throughout Texas. Having lectured at 40+ national conferences all across America on municipal law -- she is known as an innovator, collaborator, and problem-solver. Roxann wants to use her big city experience and help smaller towns achieve their goals!
Education
- St. Mary's University School of Law
- J.D. (1995)
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- University of Texas - Austin
- B.A. (1992)
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- Universidad de Salamanca, Spain
- Spanish Certification (1989)
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Professional Experience
- Attorney
- Pais Cotroneo Law
- - Current
- City Attorney
- CIty of Harlingen, Texas
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- Special Assistant U.S. Attorney
- U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas
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- Executive Assistant City Attorney
- City of Dallas
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Publications
Articles & Publications
- Addressing Foreclosed and Abandoned Properties
- Center for Court Innovation and U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance
- Code Book
- City of Dallas, Texas
- Urban Rehabilitation Standards Board Training Manual
- City of Dallas, Texas
Speaking Engagements
- Advanced Community Prosecution: Community Prosecution and the Emerging Role of City Attorneys, National Advocacy Center, Columbia, SC
- National Advocacy Center
- Advanced Community Prosecution: Abating Nuisance Houses, National Advocacy Center, Columbia, SC
- National Advocacy Center
- Community Prosecution: Getting Started, National Advocacy Center, Columbia, SC
- National Advocacy Center
- Community Prosecution Symposia, Community Prosecution Symposia, Alexandria, VA
- American Prosecutors Research Institute
- Community Prosecution: City Attorney + City Codes = Long Term Solutions, National Advocacy Center, Columbia, SC
- U.S. Department of Justice
Awards
- National Achievement Award for Exemplary Local Training Program
- U.S. Department of Justice Project Safe Neighborhoods
- Community Prosecution National Leadership Award
- U.S. Department of Justice
- Community Prosecutor Iceberg Award
- American Prosecutors Research Institute
- Community Heart & Soul Award
- Old East Dallas Weed & Seed Program
- Employee Wall of Honor Award
- City of Dallas, Texas
Professional Associations
- State Bar of Texas # 00794415
- Member
- Current
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- Texas Municipal League
- Affiliate Member
- Current
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- Texas City Attorneys Association
- Member
- Current
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- International Municipal Lawyers Association
- Member
- Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Texas
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Fees
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Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Flat Fees, Hourly Billing and other options.
Practice Areas
- Municipal Law
- Gov & Administrative Law
- Administrative Law, Election Law, Government Contracts, Government Finance, Legislative & Government Affairs
Languages
- Spanish: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
- Q. Am I allowed to film public town meetings on my cell phone?
- A: Under Texas Government Code Section 551.023, a person in attendance may record all or any part of an open meeting by means of a recorder, video camera or other aural or visual reproduction. The governmental body may adopt reasonable rules to maintain order in a meeting including rules relating to (1) the location of recording equipment; and (2) the manner in which the recording is conducted. These rules may not prevent or unreasonably impair a person from exercising their rights to record.
- Q. Can I get a speeding ticket when I only have my permit?
- A: You must contact the court and enter a plea. You may plea "guilty, no contest, or not guilty". To keep this citation off your driving records, you need to ask the court for deferred adjudication, which will require you to pay a certain amount of money within a specified time period and not commit any other violations. There are serious consequences if you are found guilty and convicted so please try to keep off your record. Here is link to learn more about Texas Driver Responsibility Program:
https://www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms/Forms/DL-103.pdf
- Q. I payed a ticket with deferred adjudication two months ago but received a letter about it.
- A: You need to immediately contact the Court Clerk and ask them. There may a problem with their court software. Be prepared to show payment proof within the ordered time period to the Court Clerk or the Judge. Do not ignore this notice. If you do not resolve this issue before or on your show cause hearing date, a warrant may be issued.
Social Media
Websites & Blogs
- Website
- Roxann Pais Cotroneo - Municipal Law
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