In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15), which celebrates the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States, the Texas Bar Blog connected with Lauren Sepúlveda, a McAllen-based municipal judge and chair of the Texas Young Lawyers Association. While the first in her immediate family to practice law, Sepulveda is part of an extended family of attorneys. The judge discussed her day-to-day at the McAllen Municipal Court, not originally aiming to become a judge, and balancing justice and mercy.