Maria Fabela, et al., v. City of Farmers Branch, et al.

The Firm represented Hispanic residents of Farmers Branch in a challenge of the city’s city council election system.

Plaintiffs alleged that the City of Farmers Branch at-large election system for city council members denied Hispanic voters the opportunity to meaningfully participate in the electoral process. At the time, the city’s population was more than 45 percent Hispanic, but no Latino had ever been elected to the city council. A three-day bench trial was held in June 2012.

In August 2012, U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater ruled in favor of plaintiffs and wrote in part that, “Plaintiffs have proved, under the totality of the circumstances, that Hispanics in Farmers Branch have less opportunity than other members of the electorate to participate in the political process and to elect representatives of their choice.” The ruling resulted in five single-member districts, including the creation of the Latino opportunity District 1 seat later held by the city’s first Hispanic elected council member, Ana Reyes.