Private Reprimand and Order of Additional Education of a County Judge (03/07/06)

03/07/2006

The judge, who had previously partnered with an attorney to provide legal services to a party in the administration of an estate, disqualified himself from presiding over the same heirship contest after being sworn into office as County Judge.  After agreeing he was disqualified due to his relationship with the attorney and party, the judge improperly appointed a Special County Judge to hear the matter and further, without authority, transferred the case on his ex-partner's ex parte motion to transfer.  [Violation of Canons 2B and 3B(5) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.]  Private Reprimand and Order of Additional Education of a County Judge (03/07/06).