Sylvia has been honored to serve as judge of the 281st District Court since being appointed in December 2008. Before coming to the bench, she had more than 20 years of civil trial experience and was a partner in the litigation section of Andrews Kurth, LLP. In her practice, she litigated a diverse docket of cases including complex business litigation as well as more routine personal injury cases. She served on Andrews Kurth’s Diversity Committee and was a member of the Women’s Initiative Team.Throughout her career she has maintained her commitment to public service and leadership. Sylvia is a frequent CLE speaker and participant in HBA events. She has a special interest in juries and improving the jury system and is a member of the Jury Committee of the Harris County Board of District Judges. She is also a 2005 alumna of Leadership Texas, the longest-running leadership program for women in the United States; a Fellow of the Houston Bar Foundation; a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation; and an active member of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church.
Sylvia is a 1986 graduate of The University of South Carolina School of Law where she was a member of the Law Review, the Moot Court Bar, and the National Moot Court Team. She earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics, cum laude, from The College of Charleston. Sylvia is the proud mother of a daughter who is a freshman at Texas A&M University. In addition to spending time with her daughter, Sylvia enjoys theater, cooking, and running.