(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?
My name is Christina Bryan and I am running for Judge of the 113th Civil District Court. I graduated from Alief Hastings High School in Southwest Houston and have practiced law for 18 years. I paid my way through college at the University of Texas and Harvard Law School with scholarships, jobs and loans. I am currently a partner in the law firm of Smyser Kaplan & Veselka, LLP. I have been married for 16 years, am a mother of three, and a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. I have served on the boards of Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas, Inprint, Inc. and The Children’s Fund and co-chaired the Houston Bar Association’s Communities in Schools Committee which last year placed 45 students from at-risk schools in summer legal internships. I am a member of the Institutional Ethics Committee at Memorial Hermann Hospital and of the Heart of Texas Chapter of the National Charity League. I donate my time to organizations like the Houston Food Bank, SEARCH, The Center, Kids’ Meals and Texas Children’s Hospital.
2. What kind of cases does this court hear?
The 113th is a civil court and hears only civil cases. It is one of twenty four Harris County Civil District Courts which have concurrent jurisdiction with county courts at law over cases with an amount in controversy of up to $100,000 and exclusive jurisdiction of civil cases with an amount in controversy over $100,000. The types of cases heard in the civil district courts range from simple to complex and involve many different areas of the law. Some examples of the types of cases heard in civil district courts include contract disputes, employment discrimination, fraud, breach of duty and negligence cases.
3. Why are you running for this particular bench?
I am running for this bench because the Harris County Democratic Party slated me to run for the 113th bench and I have never moved from the race in which I was placed. After I filed a Treasurer’s Report with the Texas Ethics Commission stating that I would run for Judge of the 113th and announced for this race, the Republican incumbent announced that she would not run for re-election.
4. What are your qualifications for this job?
I graduated from the University of Texas with highest honors and from Harvard Law School with honors. I served as a law clerk to the Honorable Homer Thornberry on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. I have been practicing law in Houston since 1992 and have spent my career with two well respected firms—Susman Godfrey LLP (1992-1995) and Smyser Kaplan & Veselka, LLP (1995 to the present). I have trial and appellate experience. I have represented individuals and small and large businesses. I have represented plaintiffs and defendants. My practice and experience involve a broad range of legal issues. I have life experience as someone who worked from a young age and put myself through school and as a wife and mother. I care deeply about our judicial system, have a good judicial temperament and promise to bring the same personal and professional standards that have guided my entire life to the bench of the 113th Civil District Court.
5. Why is this race important?
The Democratic primary is important because it will determine which candidates appear on the ballot as Democrats to run against the Republican nominees in November 2010. The race for Judge of the 113th and for all courts is important because judges are part of our government and our government is only as good as the people elected to serve. The quality, integrity and conduct of Harris County judges reflect on all of us. I have always conducted myself according to the highest professional and personal standards and will continue to do so if elected.
6. Why should people vote for you in the primary?
People should vote for me in the Democratic primary because I have excellent educational and legal credentials, a proven track record of hard work, community service and political activity in Houston. I have a demonstrated voting history and political involvement dating back to 1994. I am the only candidate in this race who has voted in Democratic primaries. I have served as a delegate to the State Democratic Convention and am endorsed by my precinct chair, Gordon Weisser. I have also received endorsements from:
The Coalition of Elected Democratic Officials which includes 18 elected officials;
Harris County Tejano Democrats;
H-BAD (Houston Black American Democrats);
Area V Democrats;
Harris County AFL-CIO Council;
Houston GLBT Political Caucus;
The Houston Police Organization of Spanish Speaking Officers;
The Transport Workers Union of America, Local 260;
State Representative Sylvester Turner;
Ambassador Arthur Schechter;
Former City Council Member Peter Brown;
Former Harris County Democratic Party Chairs Larry Veselka and John Odam;
I have been endorsed by many Houston lawyers—including both lawyers who represent primarily plaintiffs and lawyers who represent primarily defendants (see the complete list of endorsements at www.bryanforjudge.com under “News” and “Supporters”). Finally, people should vote for me in the primary because I will bring the same commitment to excellence and the highest ethical standards that have guided my professional and personal life. I will always conduct myself in a way that promotes the honor and integrity of the judicial office.