ABOUT MARY ANN

Mary Ann Espiritu is a criminal defense attorney and community leader running for Judge of County Court at Law #5. As a partner at Roadman & Espiritu, a local law firm, she concentrates her practice in defense of individuals accused of misdemeanor criminal offenses. Mary Ann has practiced law for 20 years, and began her law career as an attorney for the Texas Department of Public Safety. For the last 15 years, she has dedicated her career to ensuring justice for the accused, while working to reform the criminal justice system. Through her work, she has earned the Austin Chronicle’s designation of Best DWI Attorney in 2016, 2017, and 2018.

In addition to her work as an attorney, Mary Ann has been incredibly active with the recovery community. After losing a client to addiction, she dedicated herself to better understanding the disease. She serves on the board of the Austin Recovery Network, a local organization that works to provide non-profit addiction treatment to youths and adults in a compassionate way. Mary Ann, along with her Sheepadoodle, Abby, has also volunteered in County Court at Law #5 on numerous occasions to provide assistance on the Mental Health Docket. Additionally, Mary Ann and Abby were volunteers with Therapy Pet Pals, an organization that works to enhance the lives of the elderly and ill through pet therapy.

Mary Ann has always believed in giving back to the Austin community. Last year, when anti-police brutality protests took place, Mary Ann stepped up to provide pro-bono legal services to protesters who were arrested to ensure their rights were protected. She currently serves as a Board Member of the Travis County Women Lawyer’s Association, and is a member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and Austin Bar Association. Previously, Mary Ann served as a member of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association, National College of DUI Defense, Secretary of the Austin Tejano Democrats, and as a Precinct Chair with the Travis County Democratic Party. Her dedication and endeavors to expand voter participation in her precinct earned her the Anne McAfee Community Award of “2020 Precinct Chair of the Year”.

Mary Ann’s parents emigrated to the United States from the Philippines in 1965. She was born in Detroit, Michigan and grew up in Port Neches, a small Southeast Texas city. Mary Ann moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas. She graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 1992, and then earned her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Toledo College at Law in 1995.

Mary Ann lives in downtown Austin with her furbaby Abby. In her spare time, Mary Ann enjoys fitness classes, live music venues, festivals, and community events.