Judge Surendran K. Pattel has distinguished himself as both a trial and appellate attorney in both his native India and the United States.

Judge Pattel passed the Texas Bar exam, then decided to add to his academic resume by enrolling at the University of Houston Law Center to earn a master’s degree in international law.

Judge Pattel is a certified mediator. Prior to his election as a judge, he was in private practice, with clients and cases in Fort Bend, Harris and Brazoria counties.

240th District Court | Fort Bend County, Texas

Surendran K. Pattel is originally from India. He earned a master's degree in international law from the University of Houston Law Center.

240th District Court | Fort Bend County

Surendran is originally from India. He earned a master's degree in international law from the University of Houston Law Center.

Surendran K. Pattel previously worked as a trial and appellate attorney in India and the United States, including in private practice. He is a certified mediator.

Surendran previously worked as a trial and appellate attorney in India and the United States, including in private practice. He is a certified mediator.

Surendran Pattel - Ballotpedia

Surendran K. Pattel  is a judge of the Texas 240th District Court. He assumed office on January 1, 2023. His current term ends on January 1, 2027.

2026 Texas General Election

Served as a trial and appellate attorney in India and the United States, including in private practice in Fort Bend, Harris, and Brazoria counties.

- Served as a trial and appellate attorney in India and the United States, including in private practice in Fort Bend, Harris, and Brazoria counties.

Legal Experience

Reduced Case Backlog

Swiftly addressing pending cases to ensure justice is not delayed for the people of Fort Bend County.

Honorary Judicial Member

Judge Surendran K. Pattel

Efficiency

Ensuring justice is delivered without unnecessary delay for the people of Fort Bend.

Integrity

Making decisions based solely on the law, free from outside influence.

Prioritizes promptly addressing pending cases to avoid unnecessary delays in the administration of justice for Fort Bend County residents.

- Prioritizes promptly addressing pending cases to avoid unnecessary delays in the administration of justice for Fort Bend County residents.

Judicial Administration

A judge's responsibility is not to create laws or pursue politics — it is to faithfully apply the law with fairness and integrity.

Fair

Every case is decided on its merits — applying the law evenhandedly to every person who enters the courtroom, regardless of background or circumstance.

Fair

Every case is decided on its merits — applying the law evenhandedly to every person who enters the courtroom, regardless of background or circumstance.

Independent

Free from political pressure, Judge Pattel's decisions are guided solely by the Constitution, Texas statutes, and established case law.

Independent

Free from political pressure, Judge Pattel's decisions are guided solely by the Constitution, Texas statutes, and established case law.

Impartial

Each matter is approached with an open mind, careful preparation, and a genuine commitment to protecting the rights of everyone involved.

Impartial

Each matter is approached with an open mind, careful preparation, and a genuine commitment to protecting the rights of everyone involved.

OUR COMMITMENT

Every Person Deserves Equal Justice

Said judges should faithfully apply the law with fairness and integrity rather than creating laws or pursuing politics.

Said every case should be decided on its merits, with the law applied evenhandedly regardless of a person's background or circumstances.

Said judicial decisions should be guided solely by the Constitution, Texas statutes, and established case law, free from political pressure.

Said each matter should be approached with an open mind, careful preparation, and a commitment to protecting everyone's rights.

- Said judges should faithfully apply the law with fairness and integrity rather than creating laws or pursuing politics.
- Said every case should be decided on its merits, with the law applied evenhandedly regardless of a person's background or circumstances.
- Said judicial decisions should be guided solely by the Constitution, Texas statutes, and established case law, free from political pressure.
- Said each matter should be approached with an open mind, careful preparation, and a commitment to protecting everyone's rights.

Judicial Philosophy

As of July 22, 2026, Surendran K. Pattel’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Surendran K. Pattel

Surendran K. Pattel is from Kerala, India. He has a bachelor's degree in law and political science from the University of Calicut, a law degree from the University of Calicut, and a master's degree in law from the University of Houston Law Center. He has two daughters.

Surendran K. Pattel - BallotReady

Surendran Pattel: The US judge who once made cigarettes in India

Surendran is a district court judge for the 240th District Court in Fort Bend County. Before taking the bench, he practiced law in Texas. He also previously worked as a hotel housekeeper in Kerala, India.

Surendran is currently a Texas district court judge representing Fort Bend County's District 240. He was first elected in 2022.

As a legal professional, Judge Pattel began his career in India, appearing before the High Court and Supreme Court, where he honed his skills in complex litigation and developed a deep reverence for the law.

Judge Surendran K. Pattel earned a Master of Laws degree after immigrating to the United States, enhancing his understanding of the American legal system and its constitutional framework.

As a judge, Pattel has years of experience serving individuals, families, and businesses in Texas, handling complex legal matters with diligence, integrity, and a commitment to fair solutions.

Believes a judge's responsibility is to "faithfully apply the law with fairness and integrity" without creating laws or pursuing politics.

Surendran K. Pattel is from Kerala, India. He has a bachelor's degree in law and political science from the University of Calicut, a law degree from the University of Calicut, and a master's degree in international law from the University of Houston Law Center. He has two daughters.

Surendran is a judge on the 240th District Court bench in Fort Bend County.

Surendran is currently a judge on the 240th District Court in Fort Bend County, Texas.

Judge Pattel began his legal career in India, appearing before the High Court and Supreme Court, where he honed his skills in complex litigation and developed a deep reverence for the law.

As a judge, Pattel has extensive legal experience serving individuals, families, and businesses in Texas, handling complex legal matters with a focus on fairness, integrity, and community service.

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- District judges manage Texas district courts, which are trial courts with general jurisdiction, and have exclusive authority over felony cases. A judge may be presiding over a civil, criminal, juvenile, or special court. They also share jurisdiction with Texas county courts.
- Texas has over 470 district courts, each presided over by a single judge. Some courts cover multiple counties, while others are assigned to single counties based on population size.
- District judges are elected through partisan elections for four-year terms. Candidates must be between 25 and 75 years old, have lived in the district for at least 2 years, and be licensed lawyers with at least 4 years' experience.
- The annual salary for district judges ranges from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service.

Presides over a trial court with general jurisdiction. 