VOTE411 Voter Guide

In 2021, I was named Trial Judge of the Year by the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists - one of only two sitting judges in Harris County to receive this award. I practiced civil law for 25 years. I am Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. I am a member of the State Bar College and the Society of Legal Scholars. I've also held this job for 7 years, where I volunteered to serve on the Juvenile Board, act as the Seizure & Forfeiture Judge, and organized the continuing education for sitting judges. I've consistently been one of the highest rated judges in the HBA Bar Poll, and I teach Trial Advocacy at the University of Houston where I also coach Mock Trial.

Continuing to run an efficient docket and get cases to trial. I run a monthly pre-trial docket to assess the cases that are currently pending on the trial docket to assess which cases are ready to be tried and what issues exist that the Court may assist in to move a case toward resolution or trial.

I earned my Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from the University of Akron and hold a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Southern University. I have over 12 years of experience as a trial attorney handling over 600 cases, practicing in litigation, family law, civil and criminal matters, which has provided extensive courtroom experience and exposure to complex legal issues. In addition, my background in business management equips me with the skills necessary to manage a high-volume docket effectively. I bring a balanced, prepared, and fair approach to the bench, along with a demonstrated commitment to access to justice and professionalism, which I believe makes me well-suited to serve the community in this role.

1. Managing growing caseloads and preventing backlog. To address this, I would implement early case management conferences, issue clear and enforceable scheduling orders, promptly rule on motions, and encourage early mediation when appropriate. I would also use technology for routine hearings and actively monitor aging cases to ensure they move forward efficiently. 2. Ensuring access to justice while maintaining fairness and neutrality. I would ensure clear court procedures, maintain consistent expectations for attorneys and pro se litigants, enforce professionalism, and provide understandable explanations of process as permitted by law. I would also provide detailed resources on my court website for self-represented litigants.