Bobby was born in Edinburg, Texas in 1953. His family, both paternal and maternal, have been South Texas ranchers since the 1700’s. He graduated from Pan American University with a B.S. degree and a double major in Biology and Chemistry in 1977 and from Texas Southern University Law School in Houston, Texas with a J.D. degree, cum laude, in 1985.
For several years, prior to attending law school, he was a television reporter and news anchor at the ABC affiliate KRGV-TV Channel 5. He was admitted to the bar in 1985 and is licensed to practice in Texas and the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Texas.
Upon graduation from law school, Bobby practiced with the law firm of Peña, McDonald, Prestia & Ibanez in Edinburg, Texas. In 1986, he joined the McAllen law firm of Ewers & Toothaker and became partner after 3 ½ years. In August 1991, Bobby left Ewers & Toothaker to begin a practice of his own. Bobby has practiced in all of the state courts in the Rio Grande Valley and parts of South Texas. He served for several years as Director of the Hidalgo County Bar Association and was elected HCBA President for the 1993-94 term. He is currently a member of the American Bar Association and State Bar of Texas and is a Fellow with the Texas Bar Foundation. Bobby was elected by his peers and served as State Bar Director for District 12 from 1996 to 1999. His district encompassed 17 counties in and around the South Texas area. In March of 2000, Bobby was elected Chairman of the Hidalgo County Democratic Party where he served two terms. He has also served on the board of directors of the University of Texas-Pan American Alumni Association and was elected president of the board in 2003. In 2012 he was elected State Representative for District 41. Bobby is A.V. rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
