He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida in 1979 and a juris doctorate with honors from South Texas College of Law in 1983. Judge Cannata has been board certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1993.

Judge Kenneth S. Cannata | Fort Bend County

FAMILY

33 year resident of Fort Bend County.

Married 48 years to his wife, Susan.

3 adult children and 3 grandchildren.

Judge Ken Cannata

Ken Cannata earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida in 1979 and a law degree from South Texas College of Law in 1983. He has been married to Susan for 48 years, and they have three adult children and three grandchildren.

Precinct 3, Place 2 - Fort Bend County

Ken earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida in 1979 and a law degree from South Texas College of Law in 1983. He has been married to Susan for 48 years, and they have three adult children and three grandchildren.

After leaving the District Court bench in 2019, Cannata joined the Fort Bend County Attorney's Office as an Assistant County Attorney. Six months later he was promoted to Chief of Litigation, a position he held until recently.

After leaving the District Court bench in 2019, Cannata joined the Fort Bend County Attorney's Office as an Assistant County Attorney. Six months later he was promoted to Chief of Litigation, a position he held until recently.

He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida in 1979 and a juris doctorate with honors from South Texas College of Law in 1983.

Ken Cannata most recently served as Chief of Litigation in the Fort Bend County Attorney's Office. He previously worked there as an Assistant County Attorney.

Ken most recently served as Chief of Litigation in the Fort Bend County Attorney's Office. He previously worked there as an Assistant County Attorney.

Kenneth Cannata is the Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Position 2 Justice of the Peace.

2026 Texas General Election

QUALIFICATIONS

Judge Cannata holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law having graduated Magna Cum Laude.

He has been a member of the State Bar of Texas for 43 years.

Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbel (the highest level of professional excellence awarded for legal expertise and ethical standards.

Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

He was the elected Justice of the Peace for Fort Bend County Precinct Three from 2006 to 2017.

He was the first judge of the 458th District Court (Fort Bend County.)

Judge Cannata was sworn in by Judge Ed Krenek on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Fort Bend County Historical Courthouse Ceremonial Courtroom. He brings more than 40 years of legal experience to the role. He previously served as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3 for 11 years before Gov. Greg Abbott appointed him as the first judge of the 458th District Court in Fort Bend County in September 2017.

Judge Cannata has been board certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1993.

His legal experience includes representing clients before the Texas Courts of Appeals, state and federal district courts and the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Served as Fort Bend County Precinct 3 justice of the peace from 2006 to 2017.

Served as the first judge of Fort Bend County's 458th District Court.

Served as an assistant county attorney in the Fort Bend County Attorney's Office after leaving the district court bench in 2019.

Served as Chief of Litigation in the Fort Bend County Attorney's Office after being promoted from the position of assistant county attorney.

Represented clients before Texas appellate courts, state and federal district courts, and the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

- Served as Fort Bend County Precinct 3 justice of the peace from 2006 to 2017.
- Served as the first judge of Fort Bend County's 458th District Court.
- Served as an assistant county attorney in the Fort Bend County Attorney's Office after leaving the district court bench in 2019.
- Served as Chief of Litigation in the Fort Bend County Attorney's Office after being promoted from the position of assistant county attorney.
- Represented clients before Texas appellate courts, state and federal district courts, and the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Legal Experience

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

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Life Member of the Fort Bend County Fair.

Live Member/Former Committeman of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Former President/Director of the Fort Bend County Dispute Resolution Center.

Former Director of the West Fort Bend County Women's Charity.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Life Member of the Fort Bend County Fair.

Live Member/Former Committeman of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Former President/Director of the Fort Bend County Dispute Resolution Center.

Former Director of the West Fort Bend County Women's Charity.

Former Executive Director, Board Member and Coach of the Fort Bend Youth Football League.

Served as president and director of the Fort Bend County Dispute Resolution Center.

Served as executive director, board member, and coach of the Fort Bend Youth Football League.

- Served as president and director of the Fort Bend County Dispute Resolution Center.
- Served as executive director, board member, and coach of the Fort Bend Youth Football League.

Community Involvement

Ken Cannata

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Rachelle Carter

- Justices of the Peace oversee Justice Courts, trial courts for civil cases up to $20,000, and misdemeanor cases punishable only by fine. They also perform marriages, issue warrants, conduct preliminary hearings, and serve as notaries.
- Texas has 835 Justice Courts, each presided over by a single judge. Every county has between one and eight precincts based on the county's population, each with its own Justice Court.
- Justices of the Peace are elected through partisan, precinct-wide election to four-year terms. 
- Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, have been a Texas resident for at least 12 consecutive months, a district resident for at least six consecutive months, and registered to vote in that precinct.
- The annual salary for Justices of the Peace ranges from $19,207 to $151,805 and is by the county's Commissioners Court.


Presides over civil cases and fine-only misdemeanor cases.