Brownwood attorney Mike Smith has filed paperwork to run for District Judge of the 35th Judicial District Court in Brown and Mills Counties. This seat is currently held by Judge Steve Ellis who has stated that he will not seek re-election and will retire after 24 years as District Judge.
“The residents of Brown County and Mills County have been fortunate to have Judge Ellis on the bench for the past 24 years. It is my intention to work very hard in this election and to continue the level of excellence Judge Ellis has set for the bench,” Smith said in a written statement.
“The judge of the 35th Judicial District hears and decides civil and criminal cases, so it is important that the next judge have broad experience in many areas of the law,” Smith said.
“My experience has prepared me to be the next District Judge. I have represented clients in all types of cases including criminal defense, family cases, juvenile cases, guardianship cases, probate and estate administration, estate planning, oil and gas, property disputes, contract disputes, injury cases, business and banking cases, employment cases, and general civil litigation cases,” Smith stated. “I have represented clients in courts all across Texas and I have been fortunate to be involved in several large civil cases in my current practice at the Haynes Law Firm.”
Smith has represented clients dealing with both state and federal issues, including federal bankruptcy court.
“I have also handled cases involving nearly 20 state administrative agencies such as the Texas Railroad Commission, the Texas Department of Insurance, the Teacher Retirement System and state Employee Retirement System, the Texas Comptroller, the Attorney General of Texas, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as well as several other agencies,” Smith said. “My experience includes both trial and appellate work and I have represented clients with cases before the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals as well as several intermediate appellate courts in Texas.”
Smith has been a member of several professional organizations such as the Texas Association of Bank Counsel, the Oil & Gas Section of the State Bar of Texas, and the Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. Smith has served as the president of the Brownwood Education Foundation.
Smith, 47, moved to Brownwood in 1976. He attended public schools in Brownwood and graduated from Brownwood High School in 1990. He earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Abilene Christian University and earned his law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
Mike’s wife Lindsay is an Associate Principal in Brownwood ISD. They have two children. Their daughter Lucy is 5 years old and their son Hank is 2 years old. Smith is a Republican and said that the primary election will be held March 3, 2020.