The story of our firm's founder, Frank Herrera Jr., is closely tied to the story of San Antonio itself. From the West Side neighborhoods he continues to serve to the courtroom battles that shaped his stellar career, Frank's work has always reflected a commitment to people, place, and purpose. That legacy was recently recognized by the San Antonio Bar Association in a featured profile published in the November/December 2025 issue of San Antonio Lawyer.
Written by Rachel Lynch and accompanied by photography from Jessica Mewborne Photography, the feature traces Frank's nearly six decades in the legal profession and the personal experiences that shaped his path. The article offers a rare, detailed look at the moments, relationships, and values that defined his career both inside and outside the courtroom.
From Edna to San Antonio, With a Purpose
Born and raised in Edna, Texas, Frank Herrera Jr. grew up watching his parents work tirelessly to support their family. His father was a mechanic. His mother worked as a migrant farm worker. Neither finished grade school, but both believed deeply in education and opportunity. That belief would guide Frank throughout his life.
As a child, Frank accompanied his father to the Jackson County Courthouse, where watching a local trial sparked his interest in the law. That curiosity later turned into conviction after he followed Hernandez v. Texas and watched civil rights attorney Gus Garcia argue before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case helped establish Mexican Americans as a protected class under the Fourteenth Amendment, and it showed Frank the power of the law to create change.
Those early experiences set the direction for what would become a lifelong calling.
Building a Career Through Hard Work and Persistence
Frank attended St. Mary’s University on scholarship, earning degrees in political science and English before completing his law degree at St. Mary’s University School of Law in just 2.5 years. After being admitted to the Texas Bar in 1967, he began his career with the National Labor Relations Board before entering private practice.
Over the years, Frank built his reputation through tireless preparation and an unwavering focus on the people he represented. After forming the firm Hardberger & Herrera, he went on to establish The Herrera Law Firm as its sole owner in 1983. More than 40 years later, the firm remains a fixture in San Antonio’s legal community.
Today, The Herrera Law Firm operates as a family practice, with Frank serving as chairman alongside his sons, Jorge and Javier Herrera, and partner Laura Tamez. The San Antonio Bar feature reflects not only the longevity of Frank's career, but also the continuity of values that carry forward through the next generation.
Leadership Beyond the Courtroom
The profile also highlights Frank's longstanding commitment to civic engagement and charitable work. Throughout his career, he has supported organizations focused on education, civil rights, and community development, including the New American Alliance and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Together with his wife, Cecilia, Frank currently serves as chair couple for the St. Nicholas Ball benefiting Catholic Charities of San Antonio. The annual event brings together community leaders and supporters to raise funds for programs serving families and individuals across the region.
Herrera’s community involvement has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Peter Torres Jr. Community Service Award from the Hispanic Issues Section of the State Bar of Texas and selection as one of the 25 Most Influential Hispanic Lawyers in the United States by Latino Leaders Magazine. In 2024, he also received the Texas Trial Lawyers Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
A Legacy Rooted in Family and Service
One of the most personal moments captured in the San Antonio Bar feature is the description of a commissioned portrait hanging in The Herrera Law Firm conference room. The painting depicts Herrera’s parents standing in front of their home in Edna. It serves as a daily reminder of where he came from and the values that shaped his life.
That sense of grounding is central to Frank's approach to his work, his mentorship of younger attorneys, and his relationships within the community. Judges, colleagues, and longtime friends describe a lawyer who listens closely, leads by example, and makes people feel welcome wherever he goes.
Recognition That Reflects a Lifetime of Work
Being featured by the San Antonio Bar is not simply a milestone. It's a reflection of a career built on persistence, service, and accountability to the people Frank set out to help decades ago. As the article makes clear, his influence extends far beyond case results, reaching into the legal profession, the community, and the family members who now carry the work forward.
