District 457
Jurisdiction: Montgomery,
District Level Judicial Candidates
Travis County
Chart of Texas Judicial Department
https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1452920/court-structure-chart-september-2021.pdf
Brochure of the Court System
https://www.txcourts.gov/media/675444/The-Texas-Judicial-System_Print102714.pdf
District Courts
Travis County (1,290,188 population)
District 53 Judge Maria Cantu Hexel (i) up for re-election 2024. Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies for Our Lady of the Lake University and her J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law. She was a principle at Germer Beaman and Brown Law firm representing health care professionals and hospitals, as well as health care insurers. And before that anAttorney at Ewbank and Byrom. After graduation she entered private practice at Avila Law Firm of Dallas. The cases are personal injury, criminal defense, and family law. From there she joined the Tort Litigation Division of the Texas Attorney General’s office. She is a member of the Austin Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, Robert W. Calvert America Inn of Court, and Travis County Women Lawyers Association.
Also involved with AVANCE Austin, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and American Lung Association.
Source: https://trellis.law/judge/maria.cantu.hexsel
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 98 Sandra Avila Ramirez The first in her family to graduate high school and college, Ms. Avila Ramirez obtained her B.A. in Criminal Justice from St. Edward’s University in Austin and her law degree from the Texas Tech University School of Law in Lubbock. As a migrant farmworker, she traveled with her family throughout the country and spent her summers harvesting crops until her junior year in high school. As she grew older, she learned to reflect on her experiences and not only appreciate, but be proud of, her humble roots. Being a migrant farmworker gave her a work ethic that has served her well in life and her professional career.
Source:https://www.sandra4judge.com/
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 126 Judge Aurora Martinez Jones (IN) up for re-election 2024. As Judge, Aurora is responsible for the oversight and administration of all Travis County Termination of Parental Rights civil lawsuits filed on behalf of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. She runs a trauma-informed court and continues her work in tearing down the school-to-prison pipeline, assuring race equity in our legal system, and protecting our children. Aurora has extensive experience advocating for parents and children in the child welfare system from her prior work as a litigator. She co-founded the Child Welfare Race Equity Collaborative and is committed to equitable, progressive, anti-racist work and approaches to supporting the children and families who appear in her court.​ Aurora is Board Certified in Child Welfare Law and is also certified by the National Association of Counsel for Children as a Child Welfare Law Specialist. She previously served Travis County as an Associate Judge and operated The Martinez Jones Law Firm, PLLC.
Source: https://www.auroramartinezjones.com/
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 147 Judge Cliff Brown (IN)-up for re-election 2026 Brown earned his J.D. from George Washington University. He is a judge of the Texas 147th District Court. He assumed office in 2014. His current term ends on January 1, 2023.Brown (Democratic Party) won re-election for judge of the Texas 147th District Court outright after the general election scheduled on November 8, 2022, was canceled. He has won because he was unopposed.
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2011-2018: Judge, Texas District 147 (Elected)
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2007-2011: Police monitor, City of Austin (Appointed)
Brown also has experience as a prosecutor and defense attorney in both New York City and Travis County, Texas
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 167 Judge Dayna Blazey (IN) up for re-election 2024. Dayna previously served the people of Travis County as a felony prosecutor with the District Attorney’s Office for over 30 years, closing her career as Director for Diversion Programs and the Grand Jury Division. For the last 12 years, Dayna has focused on researching and implementing effective and treatment-based diversion programs within the justice system because she believes in second chances. She has continued this work on the bench by presiding over the Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility (SAFPF) Re-entry Court, a specialized Drug Court for SAFPF graduates that combines judicial monitoring with community supervision strategies that focus on reducing recidivism. As Judge, Dayna institutes true criminal justice reform by working to improve indigent defense, protecting the rights of the accused and victims alike while ensuring justice is fair and accessible for every person. Dayna graduated from South Texas College of Law in the top 7% of her class and was selected as a member of the Law Review. After law school, Dayna worked as a Briefing Attorney for Judge Charles “Chuck” Campbell at the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. As a briefing attorney, Dayna researched and drafted legal opinions that affected laws throughout the State of Texas.
Source: https://www.daynaforjudge.com/about-dayna/
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 200 Judge Jessica Magrum (IN) up for re-election 2024.
"Judge temporarily exempts women with complicated pregnancies from Texas abortion ban"
Bachelor's Degree from UT at Austin, J.D. at UT School of Law. Jessica Mangrum has served as Judge of the 200th District Court of Travis County since January 1, 2021. She presides over civil and family law cases, including business, commercial, administrative, consumer, real estate, divorce, child custody, and child protective services (CPS) cases. Prior to serving as judge, she was a partner in the Austin office of Thompson Coe. In that position, she handled commercial and construction litigation, personal injury, professional liability, and other complex business cases. Judge Mangrum is a "double Longhorn" with a BA in Government and a JD from the University of Texas. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law, teaching a skills section of Trial Advocacy in the evenings. Judge Mangrum resides in Austin with her husband and daughter and their rescue dog. She is a member of the local PTA and active in Girl Scouts of Central Texas. ​Judge Mangrum is a member of the Austin Bar Association, the Travis County Women Lawyers Association, and the State Bar of Texas. She is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Construction Law (since 2017). She serves on the Editorial Board of The Advocate, the quarterly publication of the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas. She also serves on the Ethics Committee of the Judicial Section of the State Bar of Texas.
Source: https://www.jessicamangrum.com/
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 201 Judge Amy Clark Meachum (IN) up for re-election 2026.
"Who is Amy Clark Meachum? Texas judge blocks 'child abuse' investigation into trans teen's parents" Source: https://meaww.com/judge-amy-clark-meachum-texas-blocks-child-abuse-investigation-trans-teens-parents-greg-abbott
Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Journalismfrom Sourthern Methodist University and her J.D. fat the University of Texas School of Law. While in law school she was a member of the Texas Law Review. After graduation she entered private practice as an associate at Carrington, Coleman, Sloan, and Blumenthal. She then moved to McGinnis Lochridge as a full equity partner. She has board memberships that include Volunteer Legal Services of Texas, the Austin Children’s Museum and Thinkery, and Bookspring. She also served as a Judicial Liaison for the Administrative and Public Council for the State Bar of Texas.
Source: https://trellis.law/judge/amy.clark.meachum
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 250 Judge Karen Crump (IN) up for re-election 2026 "Our courts are the
last line of defense for our basic rights. " Bachelors University of Texas and then St. Mary’s School of Law. A recognized thought leader, Judge Karin Crump has been honored by the State Bar of Texas for fostering collaboration within the legal community, appointed to the Editorial Board of the State Bar Litigation Section’s official publication, and is dedicated to diversifying the legal profession as a mentor and the judicial liaison for the Youth Justice Alliance. Her call to service has been just as broad: President of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, Board of Directors for the Texas Bar Foundation, Chair of a Texas Supreme Court Task Force to expand the delivery of legal services, and co-founded the Austin Bar Association’s Leadership Academy, which now has over 400 graduates. Judge Crump is currently President of the Texas Association of District Judges. Judge Crump’s legal career has spanned the gamut: criminal law, complex civil litigation, family law, and dispute resolution, all while being recognized for her commitment to pro bono services.
Source: https://www.judgekarincrump.com/
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 261 Judge Daniella Deseta Lyttle (IN) up for re-election 2026. "
A state district judge this week ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to begin the process of releasing records related to the May 2022 Uvalde school shooting that the agency has shielded from the public for over a year. The decision by 261st Civil District Court Judge Daniella DeSeta Lyttle marks a win for a coalition of news organizations, including ProPublica and The Texas Tribune, which sued the agency in August"
Source: https://www.propublica.org/article/judge-rules-texas-dps-must-release-uvalde-records
Bachelor’’s Degree from the University of South Florida and J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law. Prior to her election DeSeta Little was a managing Partner of her own law firm Lyttle Law. She is a Veteran of the US Army and fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. She is the presiding Judge of the 261 District Court.
Source: https://trellis.law/judge/daniella.deseta.lyttle
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 299 Judge Karen Sage (IN) up for re-election 2026. Sage earned her J.D. from the University of Minnesota. Judge Sage was an Assistant District Attorney for the Travis County District Attorney’s Office. She created the first Felony Mental Health Docket for the County. She collaborated with Travis County Adult Probation Dept. to for the first SAFPF Re-Entry Docket in Central Texas. & Myers in Los Angeles. She then joined the Office of the Los Angeles Mayor where she served as Counsel before relocation to NY. There she was an Assistant US Attorney in the office of the US Attorney for the Eastern District of NY. She has memberships with the Austin Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the National Association of Women Judges. She has taught the ethics of Criminal Law at the UT School of Law.
Source: https://trellis.law/judge/karen.r.sage
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 331 Judge Chantal Melissa Eldridge (IN) up for re-election 2026. Eldridge received her B.S. in business administration from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She earned her J.D. from the University of Santa Clara School of Law. Eldridge is a private practice attorney specializing in criminal law. As a law student she interned for Hon. John A. Arguelles of the California Supreme Court. After graduating she began her career as a judicial law clerk to the Hon. Will ima. A. Ingram of the US District Court for Northern District of California. She then entered into private practice with Loeb & Loeb in Los Angeles where she handled all aspects of commercial business litigation, specializing in lender Liability, Breach of Contract, and Insurance coverage Issues. She relocated to San Francisco and became a bankruptcy and commercial Business litigation Associate at Sedgwick, Desert, Moran & Arnold. She was a co-council for Buck and Buck Attorneys. Judge Eldridge then operated her own private practice in Cookeville, Tennessee defending Felony and Misdemeanor defendants. She then relocated to Austin, Tx. Her membership includes the Austin Bar Association, The Texas Bar Association, the Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Travis County Women Layers Association, and the Williamson County Bar Association.
Source: https://trellis.law/judge/chantal.m.eldridge
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 345 Judge Jan Sofer (IN) up for re-election 2024. Judge Sofer graduated from the University of Texas School of Law with a J.D. in 1982, after receiving a B.A. in 1979 from Yale University.
Judge Sofer presides over civil and family law cases, including business, commercial, administrative, consumer, real estate, divorce, child custody, and Child Protective Services (CPS) cases. Prior to taking the bench, Jan was a partner in O’Connell & Soifer LLP that focused on anti-fraud litigation and high-impact public interest cases. She was a trial lawyer in Austin for over 34 years practicing in the 345th District Court and other civil district courts in this county and across the country. Recently she was successful in a case by a same-gender couple against the Hood County Clerk for refusing to issue a marriage license to them after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down laws against same-sex marriage; the case by Whole Woman’s Health and other Texas abortion providers against the State of Texas which successfully challenged the restrictive provisions of HB2 that had closed more than half of the abortion clinics in Texas (in a victory in the U.S. Supreme Court); a whistleblower case that resulted in a settlement of almost $100 million dollars for fraudulent behavior by a large hospital chain; and the successful class action lawsuit against the Pedernales Electric Cooperative based on fraud and breaches of fiduciary duties by its management. During the two and a half years before her first campaign for judge, Jan continued to practice law full-time while also serving in the position of Travis County Democratic Party Chair. She formerly served as Chief of the Texas Attorney General’s Charitable Trusts Section and Deputy Chief of the Consumer Protection Division, and has been a partner in a large national law firm. Ms. Soifer was an adjunct faculty member of the University of Texas School of Law from 1992 – 2008, teaching trial advocacy, while practicing law full-time and raising two children with her husband. A respected Austin lawyer, Jan has been elected President of the Austin Bar Association and the Austin Young Lawyers Association, and as a Director of the State Bar of Texas. She has received a number of professional honors: she was honored by the Austin Young Lawyers Association with its 2012 Outstanding Alumnus Award; received the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association’s 1995 Outstanding Achievement Award; was named the YWCA of Austin’s 1993 Outstanding Achievement Award winner in Business/Professions; and was selected as the Texas Young Lawyers Association’s Outstanding Young Lawyer in Texas in 1991, and as Austin Young Lawyers Association’s Outstanding Young Lawyer in Austin the same year. She has been named a Texas Super Lawyer for multiple years, and is AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5.0 Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. She is also Board Certified in Consumer and Commercial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. A proven leader, Jan has been elected to serve in the leadership of many community-based nonprofit and charitable organizations. During her tenure as Travis County Democratic Party Chair (from May 2013 through September 2015), she raised over a million dollars and ran a very successful coordinated campaign for the 2014 election, resulting in increases in Democratic performance across the board in Travis County. She has also served as President of Interfaith Action of Central Texas, President of Congregation Beth Israel of Austin, Chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Austin, a Director of the Texas Mamma Jamma Ride, a Trustee of the Children’s Medical Center Foundation of Central Texas, a Democratic precinct chair, a delegate to at least six Democratic state conventions, a delegate or national committee member to the 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 Democratic National Conventions, and was one of the initial Commissioners of the Texas Access to Justice Commission. She has served as an Associate National Commissioner of the Anti-Defamation League (which she also served as a member of the local and regional Executive Committees and a Co-Chair of the local and regional Civil Rights Committees), and a National Advisory Council Member of J Street (a pro-Israel, pro-peace group.) In addition, she has served as a volunteer lobbyist for many progressive groups, including the Texas Freedom Network, Planned Parenthood, NARAL Prochoice Texas, and Equality Texas. She is a graduate of Leadership Austin (1993) and Leadership Texas (1998). For her service to the community, Ms. Soifer was named a “Yeller Dawg Award” recipient by the South Austin Democrats in 2015; a “Champion” by the Capital Area Democratic Women in 2008; received the 2007 “Belief in Action” Award from the National Council of Jewish Women, Texas State Public Affairs; and was selected to receive the 2000 Austin Jewish Community Leadership Award for her dedication, support and service to the Jewish Federation of Austin, which she served for four years as a Vice President. The 1991-1993 President of Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, the local bar-sponsored pro bono services provider, Ms. Soifer served on the Board of Directors for seven years, and was selected to receive the 1995 J. Chrys Dougherty Award for exemplary dedication and commitment to the principle of access to justice for all people regardless of income.
Source: https://www.jansoifer.com/about/
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 353 Sherine Thomas gained her extensive legal knowledge and experience at the Travis County Attorney’s Office. She continually rose through the ranks while representing the people of Travis County in some of the most consequential legal battles to protect the environment, marriage equality, public health and more. As the County’s top litigator, Sherine tried cases at every level, including state and federal appellate courts, and even the Supreme Court of Texas. Sherine's dedication to her community goes beyond her legal career. Her leadership record includes service as a Board Member for Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, and as a former President on the Board of Directors for Austin Habitat for Humanity. She is a Founding Member of the Indian Coalition of Texas (IACT) and current Board Member, as well as a former Board Member for the Indian Community Center. Currently, Sherine serves on the Board for the Travis County Women’s Lawyer Association and co-chairs the Mentorship Committee. She is also on the Executive Board for the Calvert Inn of Court, serves on the Editorial Board for The Bencher, and was appointed to serve on the State Bar of Texas District 9 Grievance Committee. She is a founding member and current Chair for the South Asian Bar Association Austin.
Source: https://www.sherineforjudge.com/about
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 353 Susana Castillo up for re-election 2024. For over 20 years, I have presided as judge of this court, trying cases that ranging from small drug cases to capital murder cases. Over the course of my judicial career, I have presided over 19,000 felony cases. Now, I’m running for re-election to continue my dedication to serving our community. As your Judge, I have presided over several high-profile cases, including the Celeste Beard case (accused of killing her husband), Mark Norwood’s case (convicted after Michael Morton’s wrongful conviction was overturned), and the case of Edwin Delamora, who killed a Travis County SWAT officer. I was the first woman to serve as a Criminal District Judge in Travis County. At 35 years old I started my judicial career when I was appointed to be the Judge of the 390th District Court. Prior to this appointment, I served as an Assistant District Attorney, where I prosecuted felony cases ranging from burglary, rape and robberies to capital murder. For two years, I served as a child abuse prosecutor and worked with APD’s “Top 25”, which focused on apprehending our community’s most dangerous criminals.Over the last 27 years, I’ve been a dedicated and active volunteer in the community. I have served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Coats for Kids, Con Mi Madre, Austin Children’s Shelter, and Mother’s Milk Bank, as well as serving on the Community Advisory Board for the Helping Hand Home, and Austin Volunteer Services.
Source: https://judgejuliekocurek.com/about/
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 353 Judge Madeleine Connor (i) up for re-election 2024
Professional Experience:
March 2017 to Present: General Counsel, Texas Veterans Commission, Austin, Texas.
July 2016 to March 2017: Interim General Counsel, Texas Veterans Commission, Austin, Texas.
September 2015 to July 2016: Solo practice including family, civil rights, government and employment discrimination litigation, Austin/Houston.
May 2007 to May 2015: Asst. Attorney General, General Litigation Division, Austin.
August 2004 to May 2007: Law Clerk for Charles R. Holcomb, Judge, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Austin.
August 2002 to August 2004: Solo practice including family and criminal litigation, Austin.
2002 to 2003: Assistant Attorney General, Habeas Corpus Division, Austin.
September 2001 to August 2002: Briefing Attorney for Wanda McKee Fowler, Justice, 14th Court of Appeals, Houston.
Summer 2001: Summer Associate, Adams & Reese, L.L.P., Houston.
Summer 2000: Summer Associate, Porter & Hedges, L.L.P., Houston. Intern for Wanda McKee Fowler, Justice, 14th Court of Appeals, Houston.
Spring 2000: Intern for Judge James Squier, 312th District Court, Houston.
Education:
University of Houston Law Center
Juris Doctorate 2001
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Associate Editor, Houston Journal of International Law
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Editor, Legalese (student newspaper)
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Member, Mock Trial Team Pool
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Semi-Finalist, Blakely-Butler Moot Court Competition
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Lex Award – Torts II (top grade in section)
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Ben G. Levy Essay in Freedom Award (best paper in area of human rights)
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Public Interest Law Fellow, Spring 2001
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Distinguished Fellow, The Justice Foundation
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Federalist Society, President 1999-2000
University of Houston
B.A., Speech Communication, Minor in Spanish, December 1997 Magna Cum Laude
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Recipient, The Patricia Eichorn Scholarship for Returning Women
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Recipient, The International Education Scholarship Award
Community Involvement
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Director, Lost Creek Limited District 2016-2020
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President, Lost Creek Neighborhood Association, 2015
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Vice-President, Lost Creek Neighborhood Association, 2014
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Volunteer Coach, Girls’ Volleyball, West Austin Youth Association, 2008-2013
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Editor, The Scribe, Lost Creek Neighborhood Association, 2005-2008
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Sunday School Volunteer, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 2005 to 2014
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Pro Bono Representation, Volunteer Legal Services of Travis County, 2005-2012
​Significant Cases as Attorney of Record See source.
Source: http://connorforjustice.com/experience.html
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 390 Judge Julie H. Kocurek (i) up for re-election 2024. For over 20 years, I have presided as judge of this court, trying cases that ranging from small drug cases to capital murder cases. Over the course of my judicial career, I have presided over 19,000 felony cases. Now, I’m running for re-election to continue my dedication to serving our community. As your Judge, I have presided over several high-profile cases, including the Celeste Beard case (accused of killing her husband), Mark Norwood’s case (convicted after Michael Morton’s wrongful conviction was overturned), and the case of Edwin Delamora, who killed a Travis County SWAT officer. I was the first woman to serve as a Criminal District Judge in Travis County. At 35 years old I started my judicial career when I was appointed to be the Judge of the 390th District Court. Prior to this appointment, I served as an Assistant District Attorney, where I prosecuted felony cases ranging from burglary, rape and robberies to capital murder. For two years, I served as a child abuse prosecutor and worked with APD’s “Top 25”, which focused on apprehending our community’s most dangerous criminals.Over the last 27 years, I’ve been a dedicated and active volunteer in the community. I have served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Coats for Kids, Con Mi Madre, Austin Children’s Shelter, and Mother’s Milk Bank, as well as serving on the Community Advisory Board for the Helping Hand Home, and Austin Volunteer Services.
Source: https://judgejuliekocurek.com/about/
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 403 Judge Brandy Mueller (i) J.D from Western New England University School of Law. Judge Mueller brings experience, responsibility, and perspective to the bench.Judge Mueller has nearly 25 years of criminal law experience, she has tried numerous cases as well as presided over 100 jury trials. Prior to being elected judge, she served as an Assistant County Attorney, an Assistant District Attorney and at the United States Attorney’s Office, as a Special Assistant United States Attorney, and as a criminal defense attorney. She has represented numerous children and parents in neglect and abuse cases, as well as, adults in criminal cases. She is as committed on the bench as she is off. She has also played an active role in our community by serving as a board member of the Austin Bar Association, the Austin State Supported Living Center, Back on My feet, the Travis County Dispute Resolution Center, the Lola Wright Foundation, CAN Academy, and American Youth Works-AmeriCorps. She is a graduate of Leadership Austin and a former Barrister in the Robert Calvert Inn of Court. She is also on the Executive Board of the National Association of Women Judges, where she has worked to introduce legal careers to underserved middle and high school students at her alma maters Lively Middle School and Travis High School.
Source: https://www.judgebrandymueller.com/about/
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 419 Judge Catherine A. Mauzy (i) up for re-election 2026. B.A in Liberal Harts for UT Austin and then a J.D at the UT Austin School of Law. Prior to her election Judge Mauzy was a partner in Mauzy & Tucker. She has spent thousands of hours for Pro bono Work in cause oriented litigation. She sat as legal counsel on the Goodfriend v. DeBeauvior which resulted in a court ruling that allowed the marriage of the firs same-sex couple in Texas. She began her legal career with the Travis County Attorney’s Office. She ten entered private practice at Barrett Whitworth & Mauzy. Following she opened her own private practice. Her memberships include Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists and Travis County Family Law Advocates. She has served as director, treasurer, vice chair, and chair of the Family Law Section of the Travis County Bar Association. She is the recipient of the Litigation Attorney Award from Travis County Women Lawyers Association.
Source: https://trellis.law/judge/catherine.a.mauzy
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 427 Judge Tamara Needles (IN) up for re-election 2024.
Judge Needles has exemplified what bringing humanity and compassion to the courtroom has looked like, through her leadership with behavioral health initiatives, including serving as chair of the Behavioral Health Criminal Justice Advisory Committee. Under her leadership, the committee has brought together the local and county government and community organizations to discover and implement new ways to solve behavioral health issues amongst the public. As chairwoman, Judge Needles is currently working to develop a mental health diversion program, which would divert low level, non-violent offenders with mental health issues to a hospital diversion center in lieu of jail. Staying true to her campaign promises, Judge Needles also manages the Travis County Supervision and Monitoring for Alcohol-Related Treatment (SMART) Re-Entry docket, which uses the court as a motivational tool to help the individual needs of people in the program to improve their lives as community members. Judge Needles has used a humanity-first approach inside her courtroom, working hard to improve the lives of community members, rather than focusing on the number of cases she's tried. Using this approach, along with an emphasis on efficiency, Judge Needles has changed the lives of people who come through the courtroom, directing them to resources to help improve their lives which, in turn, improves our community. Prior to her election, Judge Needles worked in criminal law for nearly two decades, representing thousands of criminal matters ranging from traffic citations to Capital Murder and many resulting in felony jury trials. But it is her experience on the bench is what has driven her to run for re-election to the 427th District Court, so she can continue to treat the people of Travis County with fairness and compassion.
Source: https://judgeneedles.com/about/index.html
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 450 Judge Brad Urritia (IN) up for re-election 2024. rrutia earned his bachelor's degree from Texas State University. He later received his J.D. from the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas. "While our community is nearly 40 percent Latino, I am the only Latino criminal court district judge."
Army Veteran. During my career as a lawyer I tried every level of felony, from state jail drug cases to death penalty cases. As a judge, I continued a busy trial schedule trying fifteen cases during my first year on the bench. I also began sharing Vets Court duties with the aim of taking it over when the current judge retires. Helping veterans is one of the things I am most passionate about and I’m excited to continue the tradition of Travis County Veterans Court. I am also pleased to have helped start the Felony DWI Court with our District Attorney. DWI Court hopes to help break the cycle of addiction for those individuals charged with felony DWI. As an attorney, I was committed to representing indigent clients. The majority of my practice is dedicated to indigent defense which includes undocumented defendants. In fact, the majority of my clients speak only Spanish. As a Judge, I lead one of the most progressive courts with amongst the lowest pretrial incarceration rates and with defendants waiting the least time in jail for a trial. I am dedicated to ensuring the rights of the accused without sacrificing the safety of the community. I also take a keen interest in first time offenders and prefer diversion to incarceration where it makes sense but certainly in non-violent offenses. I believe Criminal Justice Reform doesn’t have to wait for legislation but can happen by implementing progressive measures with a forward thinking jurist. I hope to continue my progressive work for the people in Travis County as your Judge of the 450th District Court!
Source: https://www.bradurrutia.com/about-brad/
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 455 Judge Laurie Eiserloh (IN) up for re-election 2026. Bachelors and J.D. from UT Austin. Laurie led the Employment Team in the Civil Litigation Division of the Travis County Attorney’s Office. She has served as a litigator and general counsel for the City of Austin, the State of Texas and in the private sector at the local law firm Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever, and McDaniel. She is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Labor & Employment Law and Personal Injury Trial Law. She is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, an organization of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to professionalism and civility in the courtroom and the integrity of the jury trial. Laurie is admitted to practice in the Federal District Courts of the Western, Eastern, Southern, and Northern Districts of Texas, and the Federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. Early in her career, Laurie served as Executive Director of the Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas (now Equality Texas), where she fought in the Texas Legislature for the rights of LGBTQ Texans, worked tirelessly to maintain and restore state funding during the AIDS crisis, and fought to protect the basic human rights of people living with AIDS. Laurie is very active in the Austin community. For over a decade, she served on the board of El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission, which provides clinic services, food bank, ESL and other critical assistance to the working poor. Laurie also volunteers for the cold weather shelter at Trinity Center assisting people experiencing homelessness. This year, she joined the board of the Austin Center for Child Guidance, which provides high-quality, low-cost mental health services for children and their families.
Source: https://www.laurieforjudge.com/about-laurie/
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 459 Judge Maya Guerra Gamble (IN) up for re-election 2026. She received both her B.A. and J.D. degrees from Yale University. As a Latina and as the child of an immigrant, Maya is fully aware that discrimination based on race and gender still take a toll on community and progress. She was a trial lawyer her entire career specializing in Child Protective Services and devoted herself to helping the most defenseless and needy among us.
COMMUNITY
•Court Appointed Family Attorneys Section, Austin Bar
-At Large Member in 2005-2007
-Mentor Chair, 2015-present
•Supreme Court Standing Commission on Children
-Task Force on Foster Children & Education, 2012-2014
-Permanent Subcommittee on Foster Children & Education, 2014-present
•Texas Children's Commission Member
-Parent Resource Guide Committee, Member, 2013-present
•Child Protective Services Committee
-Single Case Plan Committee, 2015
•Travis County Child Welfare Board
-Member, 2014-present
-Vice Chair 2016-present
•Executive Board Member, Capitol Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, Inc., 2018-present
•Cub Scout Pack 9
-Den Leader
-Cubmaster
•Fulmore Middle School PTA
-Library Fundraiser
-PTA
•Bryker Woods Elementary School PTA
-PTA
•Boy Scout Troop 9
-Committee Member
EXPERIENCE
• First Judge elected to preside over the 459th Civil District Court serving Travis County
• Solo Practice, Child Welfare Attorney
• Of Counsel, O’Connell & Soifer LLP
• Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General of Texas
• Honors Program Trial Attorney, Commercial Litigation Section, U.S. Department of Justice
• Law Clerk, The Honorable Richard D. Cudahy, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• Yale Law School, J.D., May 1996
• Yale University, B.A. with Distinction, May 1992
AWARDS
•The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's Law Enforcement Award, 2003
•Texas Attorney General's Merit Award, August 2002
•U.S. Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service, June 2000
•U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Office of Inspector General's Cooperative Achievement Award, September 2000
•President's Council on Integrity & Efficiency's Award for Excellence, September 2000
Source: https://www.mayaguerragamble.com/about
Jurisdiction: Travis
District 460 Judge Selena Alvarenga (IN) up for re-election 2024. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. J.D. St.Mary's University School of. Law. After Graduation she was a criminal defense attorney for over two decades. She made history when elected Travis County’s first openly gay Latina immigrant judge. She was elected to the bench of the 460th District Court in 2020. Judge Alvarenga has accomplished quite a bit from the bench of the 460th. Her decision in the Faircloth case marks the first time a defendant has been released due to improper handling of DNA evidence by APD's DNA Lab, issues which were first raised all the way back in 2015. Judge Alvarenga presided over the first in-person jury trial after COVID lockdown was lifted, demonstrating that even after a year & a half, she and her staff were prepared & provisioned to dispense justice. The judge remains actively involved in ongoing community conversations on expansion of diversionary programs for individuals confronting substance abuse & mental health issues, and has entered her 3rd year as a Board Member of the Travis County Sobering Center, in which she takes tremendous pride. And true to her promise on the campaign trail, Judge Alvarenga has prioritized cases wherein defendants have already been held in custody awaiting trial for extended periods. If re-elected, Judge Alvarenga will continue to address the structural issues affecting our criminal justice system while administering her court efficiently, fairly, & in strict accordance with the law.
Source: https://www.selenaforjudge.com/about
Jurisdiction: Travis