Education:

Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD), South Texas College of Law 2001

Resume

Bachelor of Business Administration in Management (BBA), University of Houston, 1997


Bachelor of Arts in French (BA), University of Houston, 1997

Judge Simoneaux and his husband, Christopher Bown, have been together since 1987 and were married on December 12, 1991. They have one son, Chad Simoneaux.

Meet Judge Jerry Simoneaux

Jerry Simoneaux earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in management and a Bachelor of Arts in French from the University of Houston, followed by a law degree from South Texas College of Law. He is married to his husband, Christopher Bown, and they have one son.

Legal Experience:

Simoneaux & Watson, P.C., February 2014 – December 2018
Probate, Trusts, Guardianship, and Fiduciary Litigation and Appeals
Certified Mediator

Galligan & Manning, January 2011 – January 2014
Probate, Trusts, Guardianship, and Fiduciary Litigation and Appeals
Estate Planning

The Simoneaux Law Firm (solo practice), 2001 – 2004
Probate, probate litigation, criminal defense, simple estate planning, landlord-tenant issues, general civil litigation

Jerry Simoneaux previously practiced law at Simoneaux & Watson and Galligan & Manning, focusing on probate, trusts, guardianship, fiduciary litigation, appeals, and estate planning. He also operated The Simoneaux Law Firm, a solo practice.

Judge, County Probate Court No. 1, Vote For 1
REP Loyd Wright 46,881 50.27% 337,559 45.32% 148,075 43.43% 532,515 45.16%
DEM Jerry Simoneaux 46,377 49.73% 407,335 54.68% 192,868 56.57% 646,580 54.84%
Cast Votes: 93,258 95.28% 744,894 97.23% 340,943 96.31% 1,179,095 96.81%

Cumulative Report — Official Harris County, Texas — General and Special Elections — November 06, 2018

Harris County Probate Court 1
Presiding Judge – January 1, 2019, to present
Staff Attorney - June 2009 to December 2010
Assistant State Presiding Judge for the Statutory Probate Courts, 2023-2025

Jerry serves as the presiding judge of Harris County Probate Court 1. He was elected in 2018.

2026 Texas General Election

Houston Municipal Court District
Associate Judge – Appointed June 2015 to December 2018

Serves as presiding judge of Harris County Probate Court 1, a position held since January 2019.

Serves as presiding judge of Harris County Probate Court 1, a position held since January 2019, presides over cases within the court's jurisdiction and issues rulings and orders.

Served as an associate judge in the Houston Municipal Court District from 2015 to 2018.

Served as an associate judge in the Houston Municipal Court District from 2015 to 2018, conducted hearings, issued recommendations and rulings, and oversaw cases involving 

Practiced probate, trust, guardianship, and fiduciary litigation and appeals at Simoneaux & Watson from 2014 to 2018.

Practiced probate, guardianship, and appeals at Simoneaux & Watson from 2014 to 2018.

Practiced probate, trust, guardianship, and fiduciary litigation and appeals, as well as estate planning, at Galligan & Manning from 2011 to 2014.

Practiced probate, guardianship, and appeals, as well as estate planning, at Galligan & Manning from 2011 to 2014.

Operated a solo law practice handling probate, civil litigation, criminal defense, estate planning, and landlord-tenant matters from 2001 to 2004.

- Serves as presiding judge of Harris County Probate Court 1, a position held since January 2019, presides over cases within the court's jurisdiction and issues rulings and orders.
- Served as an associate judge in the Houston Municipal Court District from 2015 to 2018, conducted hearings, issued recommendations and rulings, and oversaw cases involving 
- Practiced probate, guardianship, and appeals at Simoneaux & Watson from 2014 to 2018.
- Practiced probate, guardianship, and appeals, as well as estate planning, at Galligan & Manning from 2011 to 2014.
- Operated a solo law practice handling probate, civil litigation, criminal defense, estate planning, and landlord-tenant matters from 2001 to 2004.

Legal Experience

4. What do you hope to accomplish in your courtroom going forward?

I am working to increase the availability of pro bono attorneys to help families who cannot afford one. I have been on the board of the Houston Volunteer Lawyers since 2019 and we are constantly finding ways to bring new volunteer attorneys into probate court. I am also working with the County Commissioners Court and the State Legislature to form a new Probate Court 5 to help ease the strain on the four existing courts.

Judicial Q&A: Judge Jerry Simoneaux | Off the Kuff

My Vision for the Next Term

If re-elected, I will continue to:

Expand technological innovations to make court services even more accessible.
Partner with legislators to improve probate and guardianship law.
Develop additional resources for families navigating probate and guardianships without an attorney.
Work with community partners to better serve our aging population.
Ensure our court remains efficient while treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Welcome to Judge Jerry Simoneaux's Website

Making Our Court More Accessible
Pioneered Digital Courts in Harris County – In my first 4 months as judge, I made Probate Court 1 the first county court to go fully digital, eliminating huge stacks of paper files in the court--which also ended the need for the manual signing of orders--creating a much more efficient (and environmentally friendly) court.

Judge Jerry Simoneaux's Key Accomplishments

First to Offer Remote Hearings – In October 2019 (months before COVID), we became the first court in Harris County to offer remote hearings by video, saving them time off work and travel expenses.
State-of-the-Art Technology – Led the installation of cutting-edge equipment, allowing residents to participate in proceedings remotely, in-person, or in a hybrid format, making justice accessible to everyone regardless of circumstances.

State-of-the-Art Technology – Led the installation of cutting-edge equipment, allowing residents to participate in proceedings remotely, in-person, or in a hybrid format, making justice accessible to everyone regardless of circumstances.
Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals – Installed new assisted hearing devices in the courtroom for those who are hard of hearing. For online appearances, our software offers closed captioning and a new special visual module for enhanced ASL interpretation.
Enhanced Language Support Systems - The courtroom audio assistance devices also have two audio channels for simultaneous translation. For online participants, I implemented separate audio channel capabilities for simultaneous translation.

Eliminated Backlogs - Uncontested matters can be set for a hearing as soon as the attorney is ready. No waiting.
Online Scheduling - Implemented online scheduling for almost all uncontested matters.
Efficient Trial Management - Manages over 80 contested matters per year with time to trial reduced from 2 years to 9 months, in most cases.

Supporting Families and Protecting Vulnerable Individuals
Improved Guardian Oversight – Partnered with the Texas State Office of Court Administration to audit all guardianship cases, ensuring better protection for vulnerable residents. Harris County now has one of the state's highest compliance rates.
Wedding Services Restored – Brought back wedding ceremonies to Probate Court 1 after an 8-year absence, officiating over 100 weddings in the first year alone. Weddings are offered in English, Spanish, and French. Translators are always welcome.

Modernized Court Language – Collaborated with the County Clerk to remove outdated sexist language from legal forms and court documents (changing terms like "executrix" to gender-neutral alternatives).
LGBTQ+ Inclusivity - Developed a non-gender-specific dress code and enhanced training of court staff on LGBTQ+ issues and accommodations.
Implicit Bias - I received 8 hours of professional implicit bias training and imparted my knowledge to all staff members.

Leading for Equality and Fairness
Modernized Court Language – Collaborated with the County Clerk to remove outdated sexist language from legal forms and court documents (changing terms like "executrix" to gender-neutral alternatives).
LGBTQ+ Inclusivity - Developed a non-gender-specific dress code and enhanced training of court staff on LGBTQ+ issues and accommodations.
Implicit Bias - I received 8 hours of professional implicit bias training and imparted my knowledge to all staff members.

Plans to work with county commissioners and state legislators to form a fifth probate court.

I am working to increase the availability of pro bono attorneys to help families who cannot afford one. I have been on the board of the Houston Volunteer Lawyers since 2019 and we are constantly finding ways to bring new volunteer attorneys into probate court. I am also working with the County Commissioners Court and the State Legislature to form a new Probate Court 5 to help ease the strain on the four existing courts.

We have not had a new court created in over 25 years and the population has nearly doubled since then.

Plans to keep the court efficient while treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Plans to increase the availability of pro bono attorneys for families unable to afford counsel.

In 2022, said he plans to increase the availability of pro bono attorneys for families unable to afford counsel.

Plans to expand technological innovations to make court services more accessible.

Plans to develop additional resources for families navigating probate and guardianships without an attorney.

As a probate court judge, made Probate Court 1 the first Harris County court to go fully digital.

As a probate court judge, introduced remote video hearings in October 2019.

As a probate court judge, installed courtroom hearing devices and online captioning and visual tools for American Sign Language interpretation.

As a probate court judge, says uncontested matters can be scheduled once an attorney is ready, without waiting.

As a probate court judge, partnered with the Texas State Office of Court Administration to audit all guardianship cases.

As a probate court judge, developed a non-gender-specific dress code and expanded staff training on LGBTQ+ issues and accommodations.

As a probate court judge, collaborated with the county clerk to replace gendered language in legal forms and court documents.

- In 2022, said he plans to increase the availability of pro bono attorneys for families unable to afford counsel.
- Plans to expand technological innovations to make court services more accessible.
- Plans to develop additional resources for families navigating probate and guardianships without an attorney.
- As a probate court judge, made Probate Court 1 the first Harris County court to go fully digital.
- As a probate court judge, introduced remote video hearings in October 2019.
- As a probate court judge, installed courtroom hearing devices and online captioning and visual tools for American Sign Language interpretation.
- As a probate court judge, says uncontested matters can be scheduled once an attorney is ready, without waiting.
- As a probate court judge, partnered with the Texas State Office of Court Administration to audit all guardianship cases.
- As a probate court judge, developed a non-gender-specific dress code and expanded staff training on LGBTQ+ issues and accommodations.
- As a probate court judge, collaborated with the county clerk to replace gendered language in legal forms and court documents.

Judicial Administration

Because death and disability are indiscriminate, we see people from all walks of life. That is different from any other court, so it is essential to have a judge who is welcoming to everyone and who will provide as safe space for all. As a trilingual, openly LGBTQ judge, I know how important it is to have representation on the bench who also reaches out to all communities to ensure suitable inclusion.

Said probate court judges should be welcoming to everyone and provide "a safe space for all."

Plans to partner with legislators to improve probate and guardianship law.

Plans to partner with legislators to "improve probate and guardianship law."

- Said probate court judges should be welcoming to everyone and provide "a safe space for all."
- Plans to partner with legislators to "improve probate and guardianship law."

Judicial Philosophy

As of August 5, 2026, Jerry Simoneaux’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

The Houston Bar Association
Director, Houston Volunteer Lawyers, 2020-present
Mentor, Houston Volunteer Lawyers, 2004-2018
Chair of the AIDS Outreach Committee, 2003-2004

Plans to work with community partners to better serve the aging population.

Serves as a director of Houston Volunteer Lawyers.

Served as a mentor with Houston Volunteer Lawyers from 2004 to 2018.

Served as chair of the Houston Bar Association's AIDS Outreach Committee from 2003 to 2004.

- Serves as a director of Houston Volunteer Lawyers.
- Served as a mentor with Houston Volunteer Lawyers from 2004 to 2018.
- Served as chair of the Houston Bar Association's AIDS Outreach Committee from 2003 to 2004.

Community Involvement

LinkedIn

Facebook

Jerry Simoneaux

- Plans to keep the court efficient while treating everyone with dignity and respect.
- In 2022, said he plans to increase the availability of pro bono attorneys for families unable to afford counsel.
- Plans to expand technological innovations to make court services more accessible.
- Plans to develop additional resources for families navigating probate and guardianships without an attorney.
- As a probate court judge, made Probate Court 1 the first Harris County court to go fully digital.
- As a probate court judge, introduced remote video hearings in October 2019.
- As a probate court judge, installed courtroom hearing devices and online captioning and visual tools for American Sign Language interpretation.
- As a probate court judge, says uncontested matters can be scheduled once an attorney is ready, without waiting.
- As a probate court judge, partnered with the Texas State Office of Court Administration to audit all guardianship cases.
- As a probate court judge, developed a non-gender-specific dress code and expanded staff training on LGBTQ+ issues and accommodations.
- As a probate court judge, collaborated with the county clerk to replace gendered language in legal forms and court documents.

- Plans to work with community partners to better serve the aging population.
- Serves as a director of Houston Volunteer Lawyers.
- Served as a mentor with Houston Volunteer Lawyers from 2004 to 2018.
- Served as chair of the Houston Bar Association's AIDS Outreach Committee from 2003 to 2004.

- Serves as presiding judge of Harris County Probate Court 1, a position held since January 2019.
- Served as an associate judge in the Houston Municipal Court District from 2015 to 2018.
- Practiced probate, trust, guardianship, and fiduciary litigation and appeals at Simoneaux & Watson from 2014 to 2018.
- Practiced probate, trust, guardianship, and fiduciary litigation and appeals, as well as estate planning, at Galligan & Manning from 2011 to 2014.
- Operated a solo law practice handling probate, civil litigation, criminal defense, estate planning, and landlord-tenant matters from 2001 to 2004.

- Plans to expand technological innovations to make court services more accessible.
- Plans to partner with legislators to improve probate and guardianship law.
- Plans to develop additional resources for families navigating probate and guardianships without an attorney.
- Plans to keep the court efficient while treating everyone with dignity and respect.
- As a probate court judge, made Probate Court 1 the first Harris County court to go fully digital.
- As a probate court judge, introduced remote video hearings in October 2019.
- As a probate court judge, installed courtroom hearing devices and online captioning and visual tools for American Sign Language interpretation.
- As a probate court judge, says uncontested matters can be scheduled once an attorney is ready, without waiting.
- As a probate court judge, partnered with the Texas State Office of Court Administration to audit all guardianship cases.
- As a probate court judge, developed a non-gender-specific dress code and expanded staff training on LGBTQ+ issues and accommodations.
- As a probate court judge, collaborated with the county clerk to replace gendered language in legal forms and court documents.

- Said probate court judges should be welcoming to everyone and provide "a safe space for all."

- Plans to expand technological innovations to make court services more accessible.
- Plans to partner with legislators to improve probate and guardianship law.
- Plans to develop additional resources for families navigating probate and guardianships without an attorney.
- Plans to keep the court efficient while treating everyone with dignity and respect.
- As a probate court judge, made Probate Court 1 the first Harris County court to go fully digital.
- As a probate court judge, introduced remote video hearings in October 2019.
- As a probate court judge, installed courtroom hearing devices and online captioning and visual tools for American Sign Language interpretation.
- As a probate court judge, says uncontested matters can be scheduled once an attorney is ready, without waiting.
- As a probate court judge, partnered with the Texas State Office of Court Administration to audit all guardianship cases.

- As a probate court judge, collaborated with the county clerk to replace gendered language in legal forms and court documents.
- As a probate court judge, developed a non-gender-specific dress code and expanded staff training on LGBTQ+ issues and accommodations.

Twitter

Buket Urgen

Loyd H. Wright

- Texas county probate judges handle all cases in probate, including estate administration, wills, guardianships, and incapacitation cases.
- There are a total of 24 probate judges across 12 counties within the state.
- They are paid an annual salary between $158,000 and $193,400.