(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 Steve Reilley and I am running for Judge of Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 1. I worked my way through college and law school at the University of Texas, and I am a founding partner of Thompson & Reilley, a recognized and growing litigation firm. I have worked as a litigator in Houston for fifteen years representing plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court. Besides practicing law, I have volunteered on various community projects including reading programs in HISD schools and fundraising efforts for the Houston Area Women’s Center. As a volunteer lawyer, I contribute my time to the Houston Volunteer Lawyer Service, to victims of Hurricane Ike, to the Dispute Resolution Center, and to state and local bar committees.
2. What kind of cases does this court hear?
These courts hear civil cases that can have a big impact on the everyday lives of average Harris County residents. Most of the matters considered by the four county civil courts at law are personal injury cases, contract disputes, and collection suits in which the amount of controversy falls between $500 and $100,000. The county civil courts at law also hear appeals from the Justice of the Peace courts and certain administrative matters including worker’s compensation act claims. Importantly, these courts are responsible for eminent domain and condemnation cases with unlimited amounts in controversy.
3. Why are you running for this particular bench?
I am running for this bench because I passionately believe that the Democrats must not waste an opportunity to reform and improve the county civil courts at law. I requested that the party slate me for a county civil court at law bench rather than a district court bench even though I am equally qualified to serve as a district court judge, because I believe that we need strong and experienced candidates running for every position on the ballot.
4. What are your qualifications for this job?
Before founding my law firm, I worked in the Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Attorney General’s Office, and I worked for Texas Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Doggett. I have been lead counsel in nearly 2,000 cases. I have tried cases and handled appeals in federal and state court. Also, I am a trained mediator, and I have participated in 500 mediations as an advocate or as a mediator. I have been representing my own clients as lead counsel in County Civil Court at Law No. 1 for nearly fifteen years. I am the only Democratic candidate in this race with any experience in this court. I also have worked on litigation involving issues of eminent domain, which is an important aspect of the work of the county civil court at law judge.
5. Why is this race important?
For too long these courts have been given little thought and too many of the judges lacked relevant experience before taking the bench. As a result frustrated lawyers have turned to the district courts to resolve disputes that would be more appropriately handled in the county civil courts. We need judges with experience who can directly address the problems in the county civil court system including the high cost of litigating even modest-sized cases, administrative inefficiencies, and the lack of transparency in court’s procedures, rulings, and appointments.
6. Why should people vote for you in the primary?
Voters should support me in the primary because I have the right experience and the right ideas for improving this court. I know this court and have a plan to restore trust in this court by making it efficient, transparent, and fair. We need to nominate experienced Democrats, and I am the candidate with the appropriate experience in this race. I also am the only candidate with any demonstrated involvement with the Democratic Party including voting in primaries, volunteering on campaigns, and serving as a delegate to the State Democratic Convention.
Based on my experience, my plans for improving this court, and my involvement in the party, I have been honored to receive the endorsements of nearly every Democratic and nonpartisan endorsing organization to date, including: The Coalition of Elected Democrats, Harris County Democrats, Harris County Tejano Democrats, Houston Black American Democrats (H-BAD), The AFL-CIO, The GLBT Political Caucus, Democracy for Houston, Area V Democrats, The Association of Women Attorneys, The Mexican American Bar Association of Houston (MABAH), the Latino Labor Leadership Council of Southeast Texas, and the Houston Young Stonewall Democrats.
To learn more about my candidacy or to join my campaign to reform Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 1, please visit www.ReilleyforJudge.com.