Michael J. Ritter

President
TYLA

Michael Ritter, a staff attorney at the 4th Court of Appeals in San Antonio, is the first openly gay candidate for TYLA president-elect. He is certified in civil appeals and criminal appeals by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been recognized among San Antonio’s top appellate attorneys by San Antonio Magazine. Ritter also works a part-time job in the education industry.

He previously served as TYLA’s vice president and has served as its secretary and on several committees. Ritter has received personal and project awards from TYLA, the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas, and Texas Bar College. He is a Texas Bar Foundation sustaining life fellow.

Ritter has also served as president of the Texas Association of Appellate Court Attorneys and the San Antonio LGBT Bar Association and as a member of the San Antonio Young Lawyers Association Board of Directors.

He lives in San Antonio with his husband, Dilshan, and their two rescue puppies, Lolo and Poncherello. In his spare time, he volunteers to benefit at-risk youth, especially those identifying as LGTBQ+.

Overcoming a speech disorder known as “cluttering,” Ritter became interested in the law through high school debate. In 2010, he became the first in his family to complete a post-college education and become a lawyer. He earned is J.D. from the University of Texas School of law in 2010.