(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. There are a lot of judicial races on the ballot in Harris County this election, and so this is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in March. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. I will also be conducting some in-person interviews of candidates who will be involved in contested primaries for non-judicial offices. Please see my 2010 Election page for a full list of Q&As and interviews.)
1. Who are you and what are you running for?
The concise dry answer to this question is my resume, which accompanies this reply. My parents were both native Texans; my mother grew up on a farm in Colllin County and graduated from North Texas just before World War II. My father grew up in Southern Arkansas and worked for an oilfield equipment company in Freer, TX when WW II broke out. He flew 25 B-24 missions over Europe as a lead navigator/bombardier and was discharged as Major. He returned to the oilfield equipment business after the war. I was born in Dallas but the family moved to Caracas, Venezuela before I started 2nd grade and we lived there until I was halfway through junior high. We returned to Dallas in 1965. I have lived in Houston since I came to Rice in 1968. I studied political science at Rice; got lucky and married a wise, good-hearted, beautiful woman I met at Rice, practiced law with a Rice classmate for 17 years, got appointed to serve as Associate Judge in the late 90’s and since then have made my living practicing exclusively Family Law. My two adult sons are profoundly independent and smart; how their lives unfold is very interesting to watch.
2. What kind of cases does this court hear?
I am running to be the next Judge of the 311th Family District Court. Family courts hear cases for divorce that deal with the description, valuation and division of property and custody of children, and all disputes that are between parties who are not married that involve custody of children and cases prosecuted by Harris County Child Protective Services to protect children from harm by their caregivers.
3. Why are you running for this particular bench?
The incumbent judge, Doug Warne is retiring. He has done an excellent job, and leaves big shoes to fill. Having worked in this court before, I believe that I can continue to maintain the excellent reputation of this particular court.
4. What are your qualifications for this job?
I have 33 years of legal experience, 17 of which was a broad range of civil litigation and transactions: collection efforts by creditors, consumer claims and, of course, family law; transactional work writing wills and trusts, creating partnerships, and corporations. That broad range of civil work has proven helpful in dealing with the range of issues that come up in family courts and family mediations. From 1995 through 1998 I served as the Associate Judge of this court, judicial experience which I very much enjoyed. Since that time I have limited my work to family law litigation and mediation. My judicial and mediation work has given me the opportunity to deal with parties in Spanish, a language in which I am fluent, having grown up in Caracas, Venezuela.
5. Why is this race important?
Litigants in family courts need to have the opportunity to be heard in a patient and calm environment that knows the law and will apply it equally to everyone, without favoritism, impatience, or delay. Divorce and family disputes are so very common in our culture and the volume of cases is very large. The work requires commitment and compassion. I know from experience that I can do the job well, and look forward to the opportunity to do so.
6. Why should people vote for you in the primary?
I have the education, experience and temperament to do the job well and my unique combination of those characteristics make me the best-qualified candidate.
A testimonial: “As the official court reporter for the 311th Court for many years, I had the opportunity to work with Brad Morris when he served as the Associate Judge in that Court. I had the opportunity to observe daily the high level of emotional and intellectual maturity that he brought into the courtroom. His decisions were always well thought out and equitable to all concerned. His expertise in the courtroom as well as his unquestioned integrity would serve him well as a Judge.” Frances Edwards, Court Reporter 311th Court, 1982-1999.