10 Questions You Should Ask Any Candidate for the Family Law Bench (and My Answers)
Are you and have you been a member of the Texas State Bar and Houston Bar Association Family Law Sections?
Judge Judy Warne has been a continuous member of both the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section and the Houston Bar Association Family Law Section for over 20 years.
Have you been involved in efforts to reduce the cost of family law litigation?
Judge Judy Warne has implemented court policies and procedures to speed up the process of securing trial dates through the more efficient use of trial scheduling orders, alternative dispute resolution techniques, referrals to the Domestic Relations Office for low or no cost services whenever appropriate, and limiting the use of costly ad litems, psychological evaluations and other over-used processes that delay cases and drive up the cost to families already under financial stress. Lawyers know, that Judge Warne is one of the first judges in the building each day and among the last to leave. Lawyers and litigants are entitled to expect their judges to be on the job and available for hearings and trials, minimizing costly resets and postponements.
How many times have you volunteered your time to teach family law to other attorneys?
Judge Judy Warne has spoken at over 50 conferences, teaching paralegals, attorneys and judges on civil and family law topics.
What have you done to make the practice of family law better?
Judge Judy Warne has served on the Board of Directors of the Houston Bar Association Family Law Section, the Board of Directors of the Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists, and spent 6 years on the State Bar of Texas Family Law Council, the governing body for the 15,000 member Family Law Section. While on the Family Law Council, she chaired two Pro Bono Seminars, which allow attorneys to get continuing legal education for free in exchange for their agreement to help clients on a pro bono basis. Her leadership skills were acknowledged by her appointment to chair the state-wide State Bar of Texas Family Law Section Advanced Family Law Drafting Seminar. She is a Life Member of the Texas Family Law Foundation.
Have you ever taught a law school class on any topic that relates to your profession?
Judy Warne has taught family law at South Texas College of Law for 15 years, and was named Outstanding Adjunct Professor of the Year in 2003.
Judge Judy with Child Advocates Program volunteers
What non-lawyer things have you done to improve family law problems and issues?
Judy Warne and her husband have played Santa and Mrs. Claus for the children enrolled in the SAFE visitation program every year for over 13 years. Judy continues to volunteer to train participants in the Child Advocates Program and teaches at various courses for the State Bar of Texas, University of Houston, University of Texas, South Texas College of Law and the Legal Assistants Division of the State Bar of Texas. She serves on the Domestic Violence Task Force for the Catholic Diocese of Galveston-Houston, volunteers for the School of ROK [Rights of Kids] and was instrumental in starting “It Shouldn’t Kill a Texas Teen 2 Date”, an educational program for parents and teens on the dangers of teen dating violence. She is a Life Member of the Texas Bar Foundation, which is a charitable arm of the State Bar of Texas.
Have you ever done anything to improve the family code?
Judge Warne spent a significant amount of personal time working to better the family code during several legislative sessions, including the most recent 2009 session. Her recognized abilities in this area resulted in her being asked to serve as the Legislative Liaison for the Family Trial Division of Harris County and being appointed to Chair the Legislative Committee for the Board of Judges of Harris County, representing 59 judges in that capacity.
Are you recognized as an expert in the area of family law?
Judge Judy Warne has been Board Certified in Family Law since 1989. She is a member of Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists and the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, and a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She has served as a testifying expert on the issues of Spousal Maintenance and Legal Professionalism.
How long have you practiced family law and to what extent?
Judge Judy Warne has practiced family law for 25 years. She has tried numerous jury and court trials and spent 5 years doing family law mediation before Governor Perry appointed her to the bench.
What ties do you have to the community you serve?
Judge Judy Warne was born and raised in Harris County, Texas. She grew up in a family of 5 girls, and while she has lost a sister and both parents, two of her remaining three sisters live in Harris County. She has been married to Judge Doug Warne for 16 years. Not able to have children, she is the very proud step-mother of Kevin and Karin and the granny to Ruben and Rafael, who also live in Harris County.