Benavides, Fortunato Pedro Born 1947 in Mission, TX Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Nominated by William J. Clinton on January 27, 1994, to a seat vacated by Thomas Gibbs Gee. Confirmed by the Senate on May 6, 1994, and received commission on May 9, 1994. Assumed senior status on February 3, 2012. Education: University of Houston, B.B.A., 1968 University of Houston Law Center, J.D., 1972 Professional Career: Private practice, McAllen, Texas, 1972-1977, 1980-1981, 1993-1994 Judge, Hidalgo County [Texas] Court-at-Law Number Two, 1977-1979 Judge, Hidalgo County [Texas] Ninety-Second District Court, 1981-1984 Justice, Thirteenth Court of Appeals of Texas, 1984-1991 Judge, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, 1991-1992 Visiting judge, Supreme Court of Texas, 1993