Judge Yolanda Huff was born in Taylor, Texas but the family soon moved to North Carolina where she and her sister, Yvonne, were raised by their parents Norma and Samuel Taylor, Jr. At the age of 16, Huff's family moved to Austin, Texas. She graduated from Reagan High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1989.
As a mother of three, she worked while earning a law degree from St. Mary's School of Law. After earning her law degree in 1996, Yolanda opened her solo practice in San Antonio, Texas. In her 22 years of practice she handled Criminal, Child Protective Services (CPS) and personal injury cases. She practiced in Bexar and a number of surrounding counties including Wilson, Medina, Atascosa, Frio and Uvalde. While working the CPS docket she represented hundreds of children and parents. She learned how important it is for foster children to receive effective legal representation. Criminal law was, perhaps, the biggest part of Huff's practice. Her very first case after being sworn in as an attorney by Judge Carmen Kelsey, was a criminal case she was appointed to by Judge Karen Crouch. Huff handled thousands of felony cases which taught her that justice must be tempered with mercy.
Besides raising her children and running her law practice, Huff has donated her time and money to several worthwhile organizations. She is a board member for YTIA (Youth Transitioning Into Adulthood) This worthy nonprofit helps foster kids who are leaving the foster care system. She was also a member of CCAA (Children's Court Ad Litem Association) and she served twice as president for the San Antonio Black Lawyers Association. Huff served for 12 years on the advisory board for the Dispute Resolution Center (Mediation) She has been a member of the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and she was the staff attorney for the felony drug court for several years. This much needed treatment Court works with defendants who have substance abuse problems. Huff was the Vice President of Holmes High School PTA in 2002-2003 and a member of Lutheran High School's Booster Club. Huff has been a member of NAACP for several years. In 2019 Huff was awarded and recognized in “The Season of the Woman” by the San Antonio Branch NAACP 70th Freedom Fund dinner.
Community, church and her legal career all helped to prepare Huff for the most rewarding job of her career as Judge of County Court 12. Huff ran and was elected Judge of County Court 12. She was sworn in and took the bench on January 1, 2019. Huff also presides over the Mental Health Court. Since taking the bench Huff has been asked to serve on the Collaborative Commission on Domestic Violence and the nonprofit “Driving Single Parents.” This nonprofit gives cars to needy and deserving single parents.
One of Huff’s greatest accomplishments since taking the bench has been the founding of the Bexar County Specialty Courts Coalition. Huff chairs this Coalition, in which the goal is to educate the public about specialty courts. In 2020 Huff was awarded the Bexar County “Pioneer Award” by the Bexar County Small Business & Entrepreneur Department (SBED). Huff was also a member of the Blackbook Class of 2020 and was featured on the cover of the Blackbook. Most recently in 2021 Huff was invited by the Supreme Court of Texas and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to serve on the Judicial Commission on Mental Health.
In her spare Huff enjoys mentoring the young adults of Bexar County. Huff is a sought out public speaker. She has been invited to speak on numerous panels, podcasts, seminars, radio and TV news shows and as a keynote speaker at various events. When not engaged with the public, Huff loves traveling with her family, reading, hiking the state and national parks and running marathons.
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