1. Who are you and what are you running for?
My name is Patricia J. Kerrigan and I am running for re-election as Judge of the 190th District Court of Harris County, Texas.
Please visit my website www.judgekerrigan.com for more information.
2. What kind of cases does this court hear?
The 190th Judicial District Court is a court of general jurisdiction but is statutorily required to give preference to civil litigation. My docket consists of cases such as business disputes, fraud cases, banking cases, oil & gas litigation, taxing matters, personal injury claims, professional malpractice and construction related cases. While as a general rule family law matters are heard in the Family Courts and criminal matters are heard in the Criminal Courts, the 190th has jurisdiction to hear those matters and is available to assist those courts.
3. Why are you running for this particular bench?
I seek re-election to the 190th District Court because I love serving the citizens of Harris County as Judge of this Court and I have proven my ability and commitment to this position. I was appointed by Governor Perry in 2007 to become Judge of this Court when the preceding Judge was confirmed as a Federal Judge on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. I accepted the appointment because I wanted to “give back” to the people of Harris County in a meaningful way through a position where I could apply my experience and skills. I left a successful private practice to assume the bench for the unexpired term of the prior judge. I then ran, as required by law, in 2008 and won the right to complete the term to which I was appointed. The term ends in 2010 and I am now seeking election to a full 4 year term. I am passionate about our civil justice system and would be honored to continue to serve.
4. What are your qualifications for this job?
I have served as Judge of this Court since December of 2007 and during that time gained valuable experience in the administration of justice and have effectively applied my legal knowledge, my leadership, management and people skills to economically and efficiently manage a docket of over 1600 cases. I am respected for my fairness and integrity as a Judge. I have presided over more than 70 trials, disposed of over 2500 cases and have been vigilant and involved in the cases pending in my Court. In addition to managing the docket and presiding over trials, , I dedicate a full day a week to hear motions in pending cases and have always made the Court available at other times to hear emergency motions or matters of concern to the litigants with cases in the 190th. I have a fundamental respect for people which developed during my years of work as a Registered Nurse and I maintain that respect for all the people who appear in my courtroom such as parties, jurors, witnesses and attorneys.
As a result of my demonstrated ability as a Judge, I have been invited to participate in ASTAR, a one year federally funded program in which select trial court judges undergo training to become resource judges in complex litigation. I am honored and excited to be in the ASTAR program this year. I have an excellent appellate record – in those cases which are appealed, over 95{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} of my judgments and orders have been upheld by both the courts of appeals and the Texas Supreme Court. In addition, I have consistently received high rankings in the Houston Bar Association judicial polls, consistently ranking higher than any of my opponents.
In addition, I am qualified by my professional background and my leadership which I have used both in business and in the community. After law school I was hired by Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP where I became partner in 1992. I later founded Werner, Kerrigan & Ayers, LLP, a successful litigation firm in Houston. For 24 years I tried cases in State and Federal Courts both in and out of Harris County and was a mediator/arbitrator with the National Arbitration Forum. In addition to a heavy trial docket as a lawyer, I was active in various national and local bar organizations making time to serve the profession as a bar leader, speaker and author. I was the first woman President of the Texas Association of Defense Counsel and the first woman President of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, a national civil lawyer organization and served on the Board of Directors and as an officer of the DRI, a national organization of civil trial attorneys. I have been active in local bar organizations throughout my career and served on many Texas State Bar Committees, including as Chair of the Pattern Jury Charge Committee, as well as on committees for the Houston Bar Association.
For many years I have been involved in and supported numerous community organizations in various capacities, such as the Women’s Initiative of the United Way, “Go Red” of the American Heart Association, Houston Area Women’s Center and as a member of the Board of ACT for 8, The Park People, and UTMB Development Board in Galveston. This year I am honored to be in Class XXVIII of the American Leadership Forum.
5. Why is this race important?
Recent events demonstrate how one ruling by a Judge may have a dramatic impact on your life, your work, your property and your future. It is important to know who your Judges are based on their record, not on who they claim to be. My record is clear. I am committed to service and to the fair administration of justice. My philosophy is that the job of a trial court judge is to know the law and apply the law fairly and evenly, not to create new law. While appellate courts may change the law, my job is to present a predictable and fair framework in which parties can litigate their disputes.
Currently, there are over 1600 cases pending in the 190th District Court. Each case presents unique facts and procedural issues. I have a hands-on approach to my docket and my knowledge of these cases, the law, and the effective administration of justice are key assets in the ongoing management of such a heavy docket. I have already entered orders in most all of those cases, handled hearings and resolved disputes in a great number of them and look forward to continuing to work to bring those cases to resolution. I work long hours, including weekends and evenings, in order to keep my docket moving and keep on top of developments in my cases as well as developments and decisions in the law. My competence as a Judge in properly handling these matters is proven and will be important in the continued effective administration of this Court’s docket.
6. Why should people vote for me in November?
I am the only candidate for the 190th who has experience as a judge and who has presided over trials, made legal rulings and demonstrated the ability to honestly, fairly and effectively administer justice. I am also the candidate known for a strong commitment to hard work, service to my community and my profession. My reputation for fairness, preparation and knowledge of the law is outstanding and my experience in the courtroom, in court administration and in leadership give me the necessary keys for the continued effective and economic administration of this Court. It has been my honor and privilege to serve as Judge of the 190th District Court and I am committed to continuing to devote my skills, leadership and integrity to this position.
I am recognized as a fair Judge and am respected for my diligence, knowledge and integrity. I respect our civil justice system as the best in the world and treasure our jury system which I see in action every day. My dedication is to the administration and preservation of that system and the public trust. Those qualities which make me a good judge developed over the many influences in my life, my family, my education, my 24 years as a successful trial lawyer, having been a partner in a large firm and a small firm, having served as a mediator and arbitrator and having worked before and during law school as a Registered Nurse. All of those experiences lead me to my desire and ability to serve as a District Court Judge. I would appreciate your vote.
I am married to Philip Werner and we have two grown sons, Austin Werner, who is a banker in Houston, and Sgt. Stuart Werner, who recently completed service with the U.S. Army in the Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery.
Website: JudgeKerrigan.com
