Maria Chapa Lopez

Maria Chapa Lopez is an American attorney who served as the United States attorney for the Middle District of Florida from 2018 to 2021.

Early life and education Chapa Lopez's parents were born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States, settling in Chicago in the 1950s. When Chapa Lopez was a child, her family moved to Odessa, Texas.

Career

Early career Chapa Lopez spent more than a decade as a judge advocate in the United States Army, leaving at the rank of lieutenant colonel.

U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida On January 3, 2018, United States attorney general Jeff Sessions announced the appointment of Chapa Lopez to serve as interim U.S. attorney after the resignation of A. Lee Bentley III.

On May 10, 2018, President Trump announced his intent to nominate Chapa Lopez to be the United States attorney for the Middle District of Florida. On May 15, 2018, her nomination was sent to the Senate. On July 12, 2018, her nomination was reported out of committee by a voice vote. On August 28, 2018, her nomination was confirmed in the United States Senate by voice vote. She was sworn into office on September 4, 2018.

Chapa Lopez resigned on February 27, 2021, following the presidential transition of Joe Biden.

Board of Veterans Appeals On June 1, 2026, President Trump nominated Chapa Lopez for a six-year term as Chairman of the Board of Veterans Appeals.

Personal life Chapa Lopez is married to a deputy sheriff with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, whom she met while they were both in the U.S. Army.