Trusted Leadership in Texas Law & Justice
Former Justice Julie Countiss, First Court of Appeals of Texas
A Distinguished Judicial Career
Former Justice Julie Countiss was elected to Place 7 on the Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas on November 6, 2018, and sworn into office by her father, retired Justice Richard Countiss. In 2022, she was named Appellate Judge of the Year by the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists. She served a six-year term on the Court, ending December 31, 2024. During that time, she authored over 300 written opinions on the merits and participated in thousands more. Many of the civil appellate cases former Justice Countiss presided over included complicated business disputes and high-stakes commercial litigation; breach of contract cases arising out of large-scale construction projects; important personal injury/tort cases; appeals involving questions of governmental immunity; prolonged trust and estate battles; questions related to class-certification; and, interlocutory appeals from denied motions to compel arbitration.
Early Life & Passion for Public Service
Born and raised in the Texas Panhandle, Countiss graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and joined Teach for America in 1993. Her experience teaching elementary school in the South Bronx, New York City ignited her passion for public service. After graduating from the Law Center at the University of Houston in 2002 and years of working in private practice Justice Countiss returned to public service as Assistant County Attorney in the Office of the Harris County Attorney until her election to the Court.
As an Assistant County Attorney, Countiss represented Harris County in civil matters in state and federal court including civil rights litigation, nuisance abatement/neighborhood protection, and claims subject to the Texas Tort Claims Act. In this capacity, she regularly advised county officials on legal matters, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
Commitment to Justice & Legal Education
In 2019, shortly after she began serving on the appellate bench, Countiss was appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas to serve on the Texas Children’s Commission–a judicial commission for children, youth, and families in Texas. The Children’s Commission was established to strengthen the child welfare system by increasing public awareness about the challenges facing children, youth, and families through encouraging judicial leadership, supporting best judicial and legal practices through training and education, and informing policy and practice affecting child welfare in Texas.
Throughout her time on the bench, Countiss was a member of the National Association of Women Judges. She had the privilege of serving on the Houston Color of Justice host committee alongside a diverse group of judges from the trial and appellate bench. The purpose of this program is to enhance diversity in Houston’s legal profession and judiciary, one student at a time. At the annual event, six NAWJ Access to Justice Houston Scholarships are awarded to local law students who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to the advancement of diversity, inclusion, equal opportunity, and access to justice.
Countiss is an active member of the Houston Bar Association. She currently co-chairs the Law Library Committee for the HBA and in the past she co-chaired the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Professionalism Committee and the Civil Trial and Appellate Bench Bar Committee. She has twice won a president’s award from the Houston Bar Association for her service.
