Cori A. Harbour

Cori Ann Harbour began her educational journey at Liberty ISD’s kindergarten “on the hill” in 1976. A proud Liberty ISD graduate, Cori distinguished herself as an exceptional student, dedicated leader, high achiever, and loyal friend. By the time she graduated from Liberty High School in 1989, she had served as senior class president, student council president, yearbook editor, and TAFE vice president. She ranked fourth in her graduating class and was named Miss LHS. Cori’s classmates also voted her as “Most Unpredictable” and “Most Spirited” all four years of high school.

Cori continued her education at The University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1993. She then attended Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where she served on Law Review and earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, in 1997.

During her distinguished legal career, Cori has spent more than 28 years practicing criminal defense, civil litigation, and appellate law. She is also a licensed mediator. She has represented a diverse range of clients—from individuals and small-business owners to nonprofit organizations and Fortune 500 corporations, as well as individuals accused of crimes—in both state and federal courts. Licensed to practice law in Texas and New Mexico, Cori is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and numerous federal district and appellate courts across the country. In recognition of her outstanding legal skills and professional achievements, she has been selected as a Texas Super Lawyer every year since 2008.

Cori has provided extensive leadership to the legal community at both the state and local levels having served as President of the El Paso Bar Association, the El Paso Young Lawyers Association, and the El Paso Women’s Bar Association. She is the only woman from El Paso ever elected President of the Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) in its 96-year history. She currently serves as Secretary-Treasurer for the Texas Bar Foundation and previously served as Chair of the Texas Bar College and Texas Bar Historical Foundation. She likewise served two terms as a Director for the State Bar of Texas and served on the TYLA Board of Directors for eight years.

The El Paso Bar Association recognized Cori as the Outstanding Pro Bono Attorney in 2010, and she was named Outstanding Young Lawyer of El Paso in 2001. Her lasting influence is also recognized by the El Paso Young Lawyers Association, which presents the annual Cori Harbour Outstanding Prelaw Student Award to an exceptional student pursuing a future in law. Cori is a frequent continuing legal education speaker on such topics as the 4th Amendment, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and legal ethics.

Cori spent a decade as an adjunct professor at The University of Texas at El Paso teaching aspiring attorneys about the American justice system in her course, “Courts in Action.” In 2013, Cori expanded her service to the legal profession and community when she was appointed as an associate judge for the City of El Paso. Since that time, she has presided over hundreds of trials for matters involving violations of the Texas Transportation Code and El Paso City Ordinances. 
Beyond her work as a judge, advocate and teacher, Cori frequently serves as a guardian ad litem, protecting the best interests of children involved in difficult cases, including custody disputes, wrongful-death claims, and medical-negligence matters. She also volunteers with David’s Legacy Foundation to provide anti-bullying presentations and technology safety training to children, parents, and educators.

Outside the courtroom, Cori’s passions include live music, travel, and sports—especially watching her beloved Texas Longhorns, Dallas Cowboys and Houston Astros. Cori has likewise demonstrated an extraordinary passion for animal welfare, particularly through her work with Luna’s Fosters Animal Rescue. As a member of its board of directors, she oversees adoption agreements and other legal matters, raises funds, donates food and supplies, fosters and rescues dogs, facilitates adoptions, and provides financial assistance during times of crisis.

Cori also participates in and raises funds for the National Brain Tumor Society in honor of her late brother, Clint. Together with her mother, Cathy, she established the Clint Harbour Memorial Scholarship through Liberty ISD, creating a meaningful legacy that supports future generations of students.

Although her education and career have taken her beyond Liberty, Cori’s love for her hometown and school district has never wavered. For more than 37 years, she has remained a dedicated leader among her classmates, organizing reunions, gatherings, and other opportunities to maintain their lifelong connections. She was instrumental in establishing a class flower fund to support classmates and their families during times of loss. She has also played an integral role in helping the class donate more than $1,200 to the Liberty ISD Education Foundation in memory of former faculty members and classmates.

Cori Harbour’s remarkable life reflects excellence, leadership, compassion, service, and an enduring devotion to Liberty ISD. Through her professional accomplishments, advocacy for children, commitment to animal welfare, support of meaningful causes, and continued service to the Liberty community, she embodies the qualities of a truly distinguished alumna.