• Legal Q&A for Mock Trial Students: Judges partnered with YMCA of Greater Houston in October to host a legal Q&A for students participating in their mock trial competition the following month. More than two dozen students joined with Court No. 3 Judge LaShawn Williams and Associate Judge Jermaine Thomas, asking great questions about topics such as the differences in criminal and civil procedures, trial preparation and strategies, effective opening statements, the burden of proof, and jury engagement.

Civil Courts Wrap Up Gavel Winter 2025 (PDF)

Jermaine Thomas joined other judges for a legal question-and-answer session with students participating in the YMCA of Greater Houston's mock trial competition.

Harris County Civil Court at Law No.5

Title: Transmittal by the County Clerk of the Oath of Office and Statement of Officer for Jermaine Thomas, Judge of the Harris County Civil Court at Law Number 5.

Harris County, Texas - File #: 26-0155

Judge Jermaine Thomas
County Civil Courts at Law No. 5

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Judge Jermaine Thomas, Court 5
Associate Judge Elaine Palmer

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County Civil Courts at Law No. 5

Jermaine currently serves as judge of Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 5.

Jermaine Thomas currently serves as judge of Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 5.

2026 Texas General Election

Among the highlights of 2024 was the addition of a new associate judge and dedicated eviction docket, both created to tackle the county’s increasing volume of eviction appeals. Associate Judge Jermaine Thomas was appointed in late 2023, but his work began in earnest in January 2024.

Serves as judge of Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 5, presiding over cases within the court's jurisdiction and issuing rulings and orders.

Served as an associate judge in Harris County's civil courts, conducting hearings, issuing recommendations and rulings, and overseeing cases within the court's jurisdiction.

- Serves as judge of Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 5, presiding over cases within the court's jurisdiction and issuing rulings and orders.
- Served as an associate judge in Harris County's civil courts, conducting hearings, issuing recommendations and rulings, and overseeing cases within the court's jurisdiction.

Legal Experience

As of September 11, 2026, Jermaine Thomas’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Partnered with the YMCA of Greater Houston to host a legal question-and-answer session for mock trial students.

- Partnered with the YMCA of Greater Houston to host a legal question-and-answer session for mock trial students.

Community Involvement

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Jermaine Thomas

Houston-Native – Born and raised right here in Harris County, Judge Thomas is a product of this community. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from Texas Southern University and his J.D. from South Texas College of Law. His roots don’t just run deep, they run home.

Home - Judge Jermaine Thomas for Harris County Civil Court At Law #5

Jermaine Thomas is from Houston and was born and raised in Harris County. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Texas Southern University and a law degree from South Texas College of Law.

Consistency – Before taking the bench, Judge Thomas built a distinguished 21-year legal career at Barnes & Associates, rising from Clerk to Associate Attorney to Partner. He practiced across trial litigation, commercial law, real estate, and corporate transactions bringing depth, rigor, and reliability to every case he touched.

Jermaine Thomas previously worked as a clerk, associate attorney, and partner at Barnes & Associates.

35 273 Executive Session To appoint Associate Judge Jermaine Thomas as Judge of Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 5 effective December 4, 2025; to direct the Office of County Administration to work with Human Resources and Talent and other relevant departments to complete all administrative requirements necessary to effectuate the appointment; and to direct the Office of the County Engineer, in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Court Management, the County Civil Courts at Law, the Office of County Administration, and other relevant departments, to convene and finalize a permanent space plan for County Civil Court at Law No. 5 no later than November 25, 2025.

Results of the Commissioners Court Meeting of 11-13-25 - Exceptions (PDF)

Jermaine was appointed as judge of Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 5, effective December 4, 2025.

Harris County Clerk's Office County Civil Courts

Efficiency – In 2023, Judge Thomas was unanimously appointed by the Presiding Judges as the first-ever Associate Judge to Harris County Civil Courts at Law, a historic milestone. He presided over 90% of the court’s eviction appeals and cut average docket time from 120 days to just 45, delivering faster justice for Harris County residents when it mattered most.

As a partner at Barnes & Associates, represented clients in trial litigation, commercial law, real estate, and corporate transactions.

As an associate judge in Harris County Civil Courts at Law, presided over eviction appeals.

Was appointed to serve as judge of Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 5, effective December 4, 2025.

- As a partner at Barnes & Associates, represented clients in trial litigation, commercial law, real estate, and corporate transactions.
- As an associate judge in Harris County Civil Courts at Law, presided over eviction appeals.
- Was appointed to serve as judge of Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 5, effective December 4, 2025.

As an associate judge, presided over 90% of eviction appeals and reduced the average docket time from 120 days to 45 days.

- As an associate judge, presided over 90% of eviction appeals and reduced the average docket time from 120 days to 45 days.

“I pledge to serve with fairness, respect and humility. Every person who comes before this court deserves to be heard, to be treated with dignity, and to know that justice is being done,” Judge Thomas said. “That will be the guiding principle of this court, and it will be my personal promise to Harris County.”

Gavel Issue 5 New County Civil Court Judge (PDF)

“This appointment is not just a personal milestone. It represents an opportunity to expand access to justice and strengthen the foundation of fairness that Harris County courts are built upon.”

Pledges to treat people appearing before the court fairly, respectfully, and with dignity.

Said the appointment provides an opportunity to expand access to justice and strengthen fairness in Harris County courts.

- Pledges to treat people appearing before the court fairly, respectfully, and with dignity.
- Said the appointment provides an opportunity to expand access to justice and strengthen fairness in Harris County courts.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

- Hears bench and jury trials, including cases with large monetary amounts.
- Serves as an appellate judge for cases from local courts. They work on all cases they receive until they are closed or appealed to a higher court.
- County civil court-at-law judges are elected in a partisan, county-wide election to a four-year term. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 25 years old, have been a Texas and county resident for at least 24 consecutive months, a practicing lawyer and/or judge in Texas for at least four years, and registered to vote in that county.
- The annual salary for county civil court-at-law judges ranges from $174,000 to $244,500, depending on years of service and how much they receive as a county supplement.

Hears bench and jury trials and appeals from local courts.