Francisco X. Dominguez ’89

Professional Background

• Elected judge of the 205th District Court, handling civil and felony criminal cases in El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson counties in Far West Texas since January 2015 
• Began legal career with New York Legal Aid Society-Criminal Defense Division (Manhattan office), represented farmworkers and garment workers as a staff attorney with Texas Rural Legal Aid, prosecuted employment discrimination cases on behalf of the government as a trial attorney with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Established own law practice in 2002, handling employment and civil rights cases until 2015 Service on the board represents a significant commitment of time and effort

Q&A

Service on the board represents a significant commitment of time and effort. What draws you to this service?
Few academic institutions share our rich history of commitment to intellectual integrity, social justice, and change. When I joined the board, institutions like Oberlin were already facing a changing landscape in higher education because of shifting demands and expectations from today’s students and parents. We are now facing daunting political challenges to the continued independence, innovation, and critical thinking fostered by our finest educational institutions. Oberlin is positioned to continue to be a leader in addressing and resisting these attacks on higher education thanks to our board and college administration. I am proud to be part of the stewardship entrusted to us and am more motivated than ever to the work ahead.

What elements of your personal and professional life would be helpful to you in your service as a trustee?
For over 20 years, I advocated on behalf of individuals who faced injustice in their workplace or in their interaction with governmental entities. As a judge, my work requires me to be vigilant and ensure that the lawyers and parties that appear before me are treated with respect and dignity, so that at the end of the process, they walk away knowing that they were heard and treated fairly, regardless of the outcome. Without the hard work and diligence required by the process, the promise of justice is merely an empty concept. Likewise, Oberlin’s promise of academic excellence and commitment to empower students to be leaders and innovators requires our board to work tirelessly and with integrity to secure Oberlin’s future. I want to continue that work.

What else do you want your fellow alumni to know about you?
I was not as well prepared academically as many of my peers when I arrived at Oberlin. Nevertheless, the Oberlin community kept its promise of opportunity, stayed true to its commitment to diversity, and provided me with the mentors and tools that allowed me to do the work to catch up. More importantly, my Oberlin family recognized that I had something significant to contribute as a Border kid and allowed my voice to develop. Now, more than ever, I want to add to our effort to address the financial and ethical challenges that liberal arts education faces in the U.S. I owe that to Oberlin.