(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?
I am Larry Hinojosa and I am running for the 189th Civil District Court of Harris County, Texas. I was born in Corpus Christi, Texas and moved to the Houston area when I was 14 years old. I graduated from the University of Houston College of Law in October of 1981 and have practiced in the Civil courts of Harris and surrounding counties for 28 years. I have been married for 23 years and have one daughter who is currently attending college.
2. What kind of cases does this court hear?
This is a court of general civil jurisdiction. Typical cases include commercial/business matters, personal injury, contract disputes, collection, real estate, medical malpractice, etc.
3. Why are you running for this particular bench?
I have contemplated running for judge for quite some time and after 28+ years in the practice of law, I felt that now was a good time to do it. I am running for a civil bench because of my past experience.
4. What are your qualifications for this job?
I have over 28 years practice in settlement, trial and appellate experience for plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of civil cases including contract, commercial, probate, personal injury, wrongful death, worker’s compensation, medical malpractice, real estate, admiralty, Jones Act, F.E.L.A and D.T.P.A. claims. I have successfully argued before the Supreme Court of Texas. I have acted as a Guardian Ad Litem in over 100 cases, protecting the rights and interests of minor children. I have acted as Attorney Ad Litem for city and county tax court cases representing the interests of unknown defendants. I am a mediator of both domestic and international civil matters and have mediated hundreds of cases since 1994. I am a Credentialed Distinguished Mediator in the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association and an Advanced Certified Mediator in the Association of Attorney Mediators. I have been an approved mediator with the United States Postal Service since 1996. I have served as a hearing officer for the Houston Community College System and in October of 2008, I was appointed by former Mayor Bill White as a Commissioner to a three-year term on the Houston Police Officers Civil Service Commission. I believe I have the experience, temperament and maturity to be a great judge.
5. Why is this race important?
This race is important because the court hears cases that involve ordinary citizens seeking a redress of their grievances. Regardless of wealth or power, the litigants in this court should be on a level playing field. Sometimes this is not always the case and a good judge should strive to maintain fairness and balance and allow the parties before him or her to have their day in court.
6. Why should people vote for you in the primary?
Harris County deserves a judge that is qualified, experienced, unbiased, fair and reasonable. They deserve a judge who will work hard and treat litigants and counsel with dignity and respect. The people of Harris County should vote for me because I will be that judge and because I am the most qualified and experienced candidate running in this race.