Monthly Archives: February 2010

What do we expect from a Civil District Court Judge?

Well, we can go through all of the cliches:  Justice, Fairness, Equality Under the Law.  We also expect a level of judicial temperament–a term that gets thrown around a lot.  The American Bar Association defines it as “compassion, decisiveness, open-mindedness, sensitivity, courtesy, patience, freedom from bias and commitment to equal justice.”  It also helps to have a great legal mind with a talent for reading both sides of the bar effectively in order to ensure that justice is indeed served.

Taking all of these qualities into consideration, I have just described Juliet Kathy Stipeche, candidate for the 281st Civil District Court.  It is without reservation that Juliet Kathy Stipeche earns the endorsement of DosCentavos.net.

A product of the East End, Stipeche was born to immigrant parents who stressed education as a means of improving the next generation.  Juliet not only took that to heart, she was one of the top graduates from HISD’s High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, a Magna Cum Laude graduate from Rice University, and she earned a law degree from the University of Texas.

A litigator for over a decade, Stipeche worked at several law firms before founding her own firm, Nagorny & Stipeche, PC.  A tireless litigator, she is effective whether inside or outside of the courtroom. And it is the same tireless effort with which she serves her clients that she will bring to the bench.  I have no doubt that she will be the first to arrive to the court building and the last to leave.

Along with the necessary legal savvy, Stipeche is also tech-savvy and attune to the need to bring our courtrooms into this next generation.  Whether one is a plaintiff or a defendant, ensuring that workable technologies are available expands access–and it would also be the great equalizer within the courtroom.

We also need judges who are active in the community, and Stipeche offers an impressive resume that includes providing her expertise to student groups, burgeoning community leaders, and legal professionals.  She recently joined the Human Rights Campaign’s effort to assist the “Ya Es Hora” promotion of the Census, ensuring that the Latino community is effectively and fully counted.  She has served her civic association, as well as nonprofits, such as the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association.

There is no doubt that Stipeche has wasted no time on building a successful legal career, while continuing her love of serving the community.  And this is what has impressed me the most about Stipeche.

Now, having proved her experience and talent, we can now speak to the need for diversity in the courts.  While Latinos make up upwards of 40% of the population of Harris County, we are hardly represented on the local benches.  When we have the opportunity as a community to send real talent that adds to the diversity of our courts, then we should do it.

There is no room in this election for courtroom politics when we need effective judges in our courts.  The 281st provides us with an opportunity to place a life-long Democrat on the ballot with the experience, the talent, and the service record that will ensure us a victory in November.

I urge you to support, contribute to, and vote for Juliet Kathy Stipeche.

http://StipecheforJudge.com

248th Criminal District Court:  Jim Sullivan.  Throughout this last year, I have come to know Jim Sullivan.  As someone who advocates for criminal justice reform and the rights of the accused, I find Jim Sullivan to be a tireless legal advocate for defendants who is mindful that a criminal court indeed does have two sides.  Harris County’s criminal courts have been a part of Houston’s school-to-prison pipeline, and we need a judge like Jim Sullivan who can add a dose of objectivity to the courts.

113th Civil District Court:  Jerome Fjeld.  Jerome is one of those attorneys who thrives on fighting for the little guy, in and out of the courtroom.  He not only advocates for fairness, but he also strives to be part of the solution.

190th Civil District Court:  Olan Boudreaux.  An advocate for changing the way our courts run, Boudreaux   offers 25 years of experience as a successful attorney.  Citing the high cost of the courts, Boudreaux feels that even when a defendant wins, at times they do not even know if it was worth the effort.  A judge who recognizes these kinds of nuances is definitely needed in our courts.

234th Civil District Court:  Nile Copeland.  I first met Nile at a meeting of ROADWomen when he was in the middle of representing ’08 candidate Goodwill Pierre in his voter rights lawsuit against Bettencourt-Vasquez.  It was pretty obvious that he knew his stuff, and after finding out that he was fighting for “us” free of charge, it didn’t take long for me to know that he’d be a great candidate.  It didn’t take him long to begin treking all over the County, including to my Kingwood Area Dems meetings.  Nile is one of those candidates who will represent us well on the November ballot–as a campaigner and and as candidate.

247th Family District Court:  Mary Kay Green.  Mary Kay has been with us for a long time–a great Democrat and someone who has carried our flag in previous challenges to Republican judges.  A well-respected and decorated lawyer, she is a tireless advocate for her clients.  She’s got what it takes to serve on this family bench:  Experience, Patience, and Compassion.

308th Family District Court:  Julia Maldonado.  More than a good advocate for her clients, Julia is as real as they come. A product of our local schools, she worked her way through college and law school, so, she knows how to stay focused as she moves toward a goal.  A focused, hard-working judge is what we need in the 308th, and Julia exemplies those qualities.  She is another one of those candidates who will provide some excitement and energy to the November ballot–there’s no doubt in my mind that she will help the entire ballot.

More on Monday!

We continue with another batch of comments on the DosCentavos.net Dream Team.

313th Juvenile District Court:   Marc Isenberg.  I first met Marc back in 2008 during his first run for Judge.  Back then, he showed us he was ready to serve; unfortunately, he was running against a candidate who had earned some name recognition and political cred during a 2006 run, now-Judge Larry Weiman.   This time around, Marc is running for a Juvenile bench, something with which he is very familiar.  He has represented juveniles in these courts effectively, and as a judge, he wants to ensure that education remains key to placing a juvenile on the right road.  A well-run court means juveniles can go back to school and parents can go back to work in a timely manner, and with Isenberg on the bench, this will be a reality.

Civil County Court at Law #1:  Steve Reilley.  Beyond the credentials and legal experience, Steve would be the type of Judge that has a human touch.  Able to communicate bilingually (English/Spanish), he has an impressive track-record of giving of himself to local organizations that provide legal assistance to the poor, to our soldiers preparing to get in harm’s way, and to victims of Hurricane Ike.  As an activist, he has helped get out the vote in various areas of Houston and beyond, but he has also made himself available to provide legal advice to protect and defend the rights of voters during the most contentious elections.  Steve Reilley is ready for the job and I have no doubt that he will keep the wheels of justice moving when he is elected.

311th Family District Court:  Damiane Curvey Banieh.  I met Damiane at a meeting of the Kingwood Area Democrats.  While her spiel to the group was impressive, reading about her experiences proved to be the deciding factor in my support for her.  Her experience as an adoption recruiter and as a public school teacher seemed to have provided her with a strong foundation for a legal career in which she has worked to protect children and families.  Damiane deserves your vote on March 2.

County Criminal Court-at-Law #12:  Robert “Bob” Cardenas. I first met Bob at an HCDP Coffee meeting.  Let me tell you, Bob is ready to serve on this court.  An experienced attorney with experience on both sides of criminal cases, Bob believes that justice must be ensured for both sides.  A misdemeanor court, Bob also wants to ensure that victims are brought into the process, while ensuring that those convicted are provided every opportunity to improve their lives before they “graduate to felony court.”