Demetrice M. Lopez

Demetrice M. Lopez is an Adjunct Professor and Hunter Center Law Fellow at SMU Dedman School of Law in the Hunter Legal Center for Victims of Crimes Against Women.

Prior to joining SMU, Professor Lopez was a Chief Prosecutor at the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office where she specialized in gender-based violence. During her career as a prosecutor she represented the State of Texas in the prosecution of violent offenders for intimate partner violence, intimate partner homicide, capital murder, sexual assault, stalking, and other gender- based violence offenses. Professor Lopez was a founding member of the Domestic Violence High Risk Team where she worked in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, medical professionals, advocacy groups, and government organizations to improve victim safety and increase offender accountability. She also led the Adult Fatality Review Team where experts in the field worked to raise awareness of the issue of gender-based violence and make recommendations for future prevention. Professor Lopez  has provided training to multiple agencies and has taught the effective response to gender- based violence to law enforcement, attorneys, and advocates in many jurisdictions. Prior to joining the district attorney’s office, Professor Lopez worked in private practice on civil, criminal, and family law matters. She has dedicated her career to advocating for victims and survivors of gender-based violence.

Professor Lopez was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She obtained her undergraduate degree from SMU where she double majored in Political Science and Sociology, and earned her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.