Rachel D. Fernández is a law clerk at The Pettit Law Firm, supporting the trial team in complex commercial real estate, business disputes, wrongful death, and personal injury cases. She plays an active role in case preparation, discovery, and courtroom assistance, demonstrating a strong commitment to advocacy and teamwork. Rachel also manages the firm’s public relations and social media presence.

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Rachel graduated from Baylor University and earned her Juris Doctor from UNT Dallas College of Law. She was the inaugural judicial intern for the 192nd Civil District Court under the Honorable Judge Maria Aceves, where she also served as a Dallas Hispanic Bar Association Judicial Extern. She later externed for the Honorable Judge Rachel Craig at Auxiliary Court 6-C.

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Ranked in the top 10% of her graduating class for volunteer service hours through the College of Law’s Community Engagement Program, Rachel has consistently demonstrated leadership and a dedication to service. She was elected as a representative for the Student Bar Association and was an active member of both the Board of Advocates and the Hispanic Law Student Association (HLSA). Rachel is a co-founder of HLSA’s robust and growing Navegando Mi Network program – an annual event aimed at bridging the gap between first-generation Hispanic law students and Hispanic attorneys in Dallas while helping students develop meaningful networking skills.

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As a law student, Rachel earned the Best Advocate award at the DAYL Trial Skills Bootcamp, competing against practicing attorneys, and was a semi-finalist in both the Thompson Coburn Moot Court and Kastl Mock Trial Competitions. In her final year, she was inducted as a law student member of the Mac Taylor Inn of Court. Reflecting her passion for mentorship and advocacy, she contributes to the High School Mock Voir Dire program led by Judge Martin Hoffman and regularly judges Lincoln-Douglas debate regionals in Northeast Texas, supporting the development of future legal advocates.

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Rachel’s focus is on civil litigation, where she supports the firm's efforts to resolve complex legal disputes with diligence and strategic attention. Guided by integrity and a deep commitment to client service, she contributes meaningfully to delivering strong results for the firm’s clients.