by Michael Landrum
For Your Thought Matters Readers
My name is Michael Landrum and I am a Republican candidate for Judge of the 129th Civil District Court. The incumbent is a Democrat named Michael Gomez, who defeated Grant Dorfman in the 2008 “Obama sweep”. Judge Dorfman has graciously endorsed me in this race. I am also honored to have the endorsements of Sen. Dan Patrick, Rep. Dwayne Bohac, Rep. Allen Fletcher, Paul Bettencourt and many others.
I believe in our civil justice system. I believe that impartial courts and competent judges are essential to the success of free market capitalism, as business depends on the consistent and fair application of known and understood legal principles. You and your neighbors are more likely to be personally affected by a judge’s rulings than by the actions of any other elected official. I understand and believe that an independent and efficient judiciary will always be the last bastion of democracy.
I am the most qualified candidate, and not only because I have been representing businesses and business people longer and in a more diversified variety of cases than my opponent. I have worked hard to obtain specialty certification in two fields of legal specialty relating to the matters heard in a civil district court: my Civil Trial Law certification was awarded in 1989 and my Civil Appellate Law certification was awarded in 1995 by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. My opponent has not been awarded a specialty in any area of law.
For fourteen years, I presided in the Harris County tax court. In that part-time role I was responsible for a busy docket and for keeping a dozen sitting judges satisfied that cases were properly and expeditiously decided.
For over 20 years, I have been an arbitrator member of the American Arbitration Association. As an arbitrator, I have received evidence and rendered final awards in more than 200 cases involving a variety of issues. Some have involved relatively small consumer claims, and some were complex commercial matters involving millions of dollars. I realize that no case is trivial to the parties involved, and every case is entitled to a fair hearing and careful deliberation.
I am proud to be ranked “Well Qualified” over my opponent by two-to-one in the Houston Bar Association’s Judicial Qualification Poll.
I am a life-long conservative. I have supported conservative causes and candidates with my time and financial contributions for many years.
I volunteer my time serving as counsel to Crossroads School, a private school that specializes in educating children with special needs. I have lectured in continuing legal education seminars, including presentations to Harris County judges. I volunteer as a judge in student competitions at South Texas College of Law. My wife, Mary Grace, and I have been active in local schools, the Spring Branch Education Foundation, our church, and other community activities. In years past, I coached little league basketball and soccer.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: This comment was provided by Michael Landrum for Your Thought Matters Newspaper readers heading into his 2012 Republican Primary runoff race for Harris County District Judge for the 129th Judicial District.