Judicial Experience
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.
Professional Experience
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. Judge Warne is admitted to practice in all courts in the State of Texas and the United States Supreme Court. 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.
Presiding Judge, 257th Judicial District Court, November 2005 - present
Law Offices of Judy Warne, 1997 - November 2005
Adjunct Professor of Family Law, South Texas College of Law
1995 - 1997, 1998 - 2003, 2005 - 2006, 2009 - present
Piro & Lilly, 1990 - 1997
Law Office of Burta Rhoads Raborn, 1987 - 1990
Achilles & Associates, 1985
Professional Associations
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.
State Bar of Texas
State Bar of Texas Family Law Council, 2003-2008
Judicial Liaison, State Bar of Texas Family Law Council, 2008-2009
Houston Bar Association
Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Member, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists
Member, Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists (former Board member)
State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section (former Board member)
Association of Women Attorneys
Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Life Member, Texas Family Law Foundation
Other Professional Activities
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.
Legislative Committee Chair, Harris Cournty Board of Judges, 2009
Legislative Liaison, Harris County Family Law Trial Division, 2009
Member, Catholic Domestic Violence Task Force
Member, Supreme Court Advisory Committee, Child Support and Visitation Guidelines, 1991 and 1992, 1998 through 1999
Member, ABA Committee, Domestic Violence, 1993 and 1994
Member, ABA Committee, Custody, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997