Governor Abbott Appoints Three To Specialty Courts Advisory Council

TEXAS, August 28 - August 28, 2026 | Austin, Texas | Press Release | Appointment

Governor Greg Abbott reappointed Carlos Y. Benavides, IV and Leslie Kay Ritchie and appointed Laura Figueroa to the Specialty Courts Advisory Council for terms set to expire on February 1, 2031. The Council evaluates applications for grant funding for specialty courts from the Governor’s Office and makes funding recommendations to the criminal justice division regarding best practices.

Carlos Y. Benavides, IV of Austin is the managing partner for the CYB Law Firm, PLLC and, previously served as an assistant district attorney for the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office as the felony prosecutor for the 389th District Court and the Domestic Violence Specialty Court for the County Court at Law 1. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas. Benavides received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy from Marymount University and a Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Leslie Kay Ritchie, formerly Robnett, of Fort Worth is a sixth generation Texas lawyer and rancher. She founded The Schmidt Firm, PLLC, a law firm based out of Stephenville. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Tarrant County Bar Association (TCBA) and former chair of the TCBA Appellate Section and the Travis County Bar Association Civil Litigation Section. Additionally, she is the former Fort Worth chair of The University of Texas (UT) School of Law Alumni Association Executive Committee and former board member of Dress for Success Austin and St. David’s Foundation Toast of the Town Planning Committee. Robnett received a Bachelor of Science with highest honors in Public Relations from UT Austin and a Juris Doctor from UT School of Law.

Laura Figueroa of Brenham is a retired CPA and business owner and has served as a director on the Lower Colorado River Authority Board and as a coordinator with KSBJ Fostering Hope. She is an active volunteer and teacher and currently chairs the board for Arrow Child and Family Ministries. Figueroa received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from UT Austin.