Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed judges to six new Texas district courts scheduled to open September 1, along with a new judge for an existing Williamson County court.
The appointments were included in a slate released Friday. All seven judges will take office Tuesday and serve terms expiring December 31, 2028, or until their elected successors qualify.
New Courts Created in Five Counties
The six new courts were created under House Bill 16, a judicial administration measure approved during the Texas Legislature’s second called session in 2025.
The new courts will serve Brazoria, Colorado, Lavaca, Harris, and Montgomery counties. Three are directed to prioritize civil cases, while one will give preference to criminal matters.
Abbott signed the legislation on September 17, 2025, according to its official legislative history. Different portions of the law took effect on staggered dates, with the provisions creating the six courts becoming effective September 1, 2026.
Brazoria and Rural Counties Gain Judges
Cindy Bridges will lead the new 490th Judicial District Court in Brazoria County.
Bridges is a private-practice trial attorney certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She previously served as chief prosecutor for Internet Crimes Against Children in the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and as a prosecutor with the Special Prosecution Unit in the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office, according to her official appointment biography.
Leonard Peters will become judge of the new 492nd Judicial District Court, which covers Colorado and Lavaca counties.
Peters is a Columbus municipal judge and an attorney with Peters and Peters Law Firm. He holds a Texas peace officer’s license and has served as president of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, according to the governor’s office.
Harris County Adds Three Civil Courts
Abbott appointed judges to three new Harris County courts required by HB 16 to give preference to civil cases.
Jacqueline Franklin will preside over the 513th Judicial District Court. Franklin is an attorney with Fanaff, Gonzales, Baldwin & Cunningham and previously served as an assistant district attorney in Nueces County, according to her appointment announcement.
Michael Landrum will lead the 514th Judicial District Court. Landrum is an attorney and arbitrator who previously served as judge of Harris County’s 113th and 164th district courts. He is a member of the Federalist Society, Houston Bar Association, and Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists, according to his official biography.
Former state Rep. Shawn Nicole Thierry will become judge of the 515th Judicial District Court.
Thierry represented Texas House District 146 and currently serves as executive director of policy in the Office of General Counsel at Texas Southern University. She has nearly three decades of legal experience and was appointed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Board in 2025, according to the governor’s office.
HB 16 also creates two additional civil district courts in Harris County—the 516th and 517th—on October 1.
Montgomery County Court Will Prioritize Criminal Cases
Donna Hansen will lead the new 523rd Judicial District Court in Montgomery County. State law directs the court to give preference to criminal cases.
Hansen is a division chief and assistant district attorney in the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. She previously worked as a Harris County assistant district attorney and serves on the State Child Fatality Review Team Committee and the Children’s Safe Harbor board, according to her appointment announcement.
Governor’s Attorney Named to Existing Court
Abbott also appointed Jason Bramow to the existing 425th Judicial District Court in Williamson County.
Bramow serves as deputy general counsel in the governor’s office. He previously worked as general counsel for Texas Sen. Phil King, an assistant Texas attorney general, and an assistant district attorney in Lubbock County.
“Jason Bramow has served Texas with distinction as deputy general counsel in my office,” Abbott said in the appointment announcement. “His steadfast commitment to the rule of law makes him an excellent choice to uphold justice with fairness and integrity as judge of the 425th Judicial District Court.”
The six new courts and all seven judicial appointments take effect Tuesday.
Provided by Dallas Express
