We say "good bye" to many fine judges who are retiring and leaving the bench on December 31.  We will all miss the friendly and hard working Judge Jim York, even as he passes his mantle of the most pro-mother judge in custody cases on the planet to Galveston County Associate Judge Steve Baker. Bonnie Hellums was an amazing breath of fresh air and reform when she was first elected in the 1994 Republican sweep that knocked off all of the Democratic incumbent judges.  It was revolutionary then to think that a family court judge would rule based on the law and the facts and what was best for children instead of who the lawyers were.  Now, thanks to judges like Bonnie Hellums, that is the least we expect in our family courts. Harris County is also losing some amazing associate judges: Robert Newey and Michael Hay. The family judge that has meant the most to my life and professional career has been Galveston County Family District Judge Jan Yarbrough, who is retiring after twelve years as ... Read More >