Prior to the 2023 legislative session, TCJL proposed the creation of a new board certification for sitting justices and judges and those attorneys with an interest in pursuing careers on the bench. We hoped that the availability of a prestigious credential (attorney board certifications are not easy to get) would encourage judges to seek specialized training in the operation of the judicial system and, in time, raise the overall quality of the judiciary. The Legislature hoped so, too, and passed the proposal into law. We are delighted to report the names of the first 19 judges who have earned their board certification. Congratulations, and please know that your friends at TCJL deeply appreciate your service to our state!
| Hon. Courtney Burch-Arkeen | Judge, 128th District Court | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Darlene Byrne | Chief Justice, Third Court of Appeals, Texas | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. F. Alfonso Charles | Judge: 124th District Court/ Presiding Judge | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Roy B. Ferguson | Private/Visiting Judge | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Tanya Nicole Garrison | Judge, 157th District Court | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Tracy A. Gilbert | Judge, 418th Judicial District Court | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Angela LaChe’ Graves Harrington | Presiding Judge, 246th District Court | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Kristen Brauchle Hawkins | Judge, 11th District Court | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Joshua Hill | 232nd District Court | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Austin Reeve Jackson | 114th District Court | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Chari Lynn Kelly | Justice, Third Court of Appeals | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Betsy Figer Lambeth | Judge, 425th District Court | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Debra Ann Lehrmann | Justice, Supreme Court Of Texas | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Gloria Elizabeth Lopez | Judge, 308th District Court | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Jeff Everett McKnight | 30th District Court | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Velia Judith Meza | Justice 4th Court Of Appeals | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Tomasz Nowak | 366th District Court | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Steven Lee Smith | Justice, 10th Court of Appeals | 2025 Judicial Administration |
| Hon. Tracy Michelle Sorensen | 278th District Court | 2025 Judicial Administration |
