Experience Matters. Results Matter.
Seven years on the Fort Bend County bench — running one of the county’s highest-performing courts and building the programs that keep young people out of them.
Presiding Judge, County Court at Law No. 3 — Fort Bend County, Texas.
Born in Kerala, India and raised in Philadelphia, Judge Juli A. Mathew built her legal career in Texas across Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery, Galveston, and Brazoria counties — spending fifteen years as a practicing civil litigator before being elected to the bench in November 2018. In doing so, she made history as the first Indian-American woman elected to any bench in the United States, and the first Asian-American woman ever elected in Fort Bend County.
She has now served as Presiding Judge of Fort Bend County Court at Law No. 3 for seven years — presiding over criminal, juvenile, civil, mental health, probate, guardianship, eminent domain, and Justice-of-the-Peace appellate matters. Her colleagues elected her Administrative Judge of the County Courts during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she coordinated emergency operations across multiple courts to keep access to justice open.
Outside the courtroom she is a devoted wife and mother to three daughters. She is fluent in English and Malayalam, and raises her family in the same county she serves.
“I may be the first, but I hope not to be the last.”
One of the broadest dockets in Fort Bend County — criminal cases, juvenile justice, family safety, mental health, estates, and appeals from the courts closest to home.
Serving the community with fairness, integrity, and justice.
A clearance rate above 100% means a court is closing more cases than come in — working down the backlog instead of adding to it. Judge Mathew’s court has consistently exceeded the State of Texas benchmarks, reaching approximately 135% in 2024–2025.
For a family waiting on a guardianship, a defendant waiting on a trial date, or a business waiting on a civil judgment, that difference is measured in months of their lives.
Efficient. Effective. Focused on Justice.
Fort Bend County Court at Law No. 3, serving since 2019.
Created the Juvenile Intervention and Mental Health Specialty Court (JIMHS) to help youth with mental health needs receive treatment and support.
Achieved court clearance rates consistently exceeding state benchmarks, including approximately 135% in 2024–2025.
Served as Administrative Judge during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping keep the courts operating efficiently through unprecedented challenges.
Created “Chai & Chat,” a community program that helps residents better understand local government and the justice system.
Co-founded “Kitchen to the Courthouse,” an annual program connecting young women with accomplished female leaders and mentors.
Chaired the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program for many years, helping direct public safety funding throughout Fort Bend County.
Advanced language access initiatives to improve access to justice for Fort Bend County residents.
Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston Law Center, teaching strategic legal writing.
Elected in 2018 after 15+ years as a civil litigator, and previously served as an Associate Municipal Judge.
Most judges hear cases. A few build the institutions that change how cases get heard. These are hers.
Fort Bend’s first specialty court of its kind — approved unanimously by Commissioners, now studied by universities and replicated by courts across Texas. JIMHS prioritizes treatment and support for youth with mental-health needs, reducing recidivism instead of deepening it.
A countywide annual gathering — now in its third year — that trains law-enforcement officers, educators, and legal professionals to recognize and respond to mental-health crises in the field and in the courtroom.
An open-door community-conversation series that brings residents face-to-face with elected officials over a cup of chai. Designed to make local government transparent, accessible, and answerable to the people it serves.
An annual mentorship program connecting young women — especially first-generation Americans — with accomplished female leaders across law, business, and the arts. It opens doors to the legal profession for students who would otherwise never see them.
As an organizing-committee member and keynote speaker, Judge Mathew helps inspire girls and students of color to pursue legal and judicial careers — the next generation of judges who will look like the communities they serve.
University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs.
Presented by APAHA.
Specialized training completed at the National Forensic Institute.
Helps Fort Bend law-enforcement officers secure essential equipment and training.
National advocacy for the role of women on the judiciary.
Civic-service club focused on Americanism, youth, and community development in Fort Bend.
Strategic legal writing — teaching the next generation of Texas lawyers since 2023.
Juvenile Justice Conference, American Judges Association, Texas Democratic Women, Children’s Mental Health Summit.
Internships for high-school, college, and law-school students exploring careers in the judiciary.
In Texas you can vote early at any open early-voting location in your county — not just your assigned precinct. Election Day is precinct-based.
Bring an acceptable Texas photo ID. Polls open 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Last day to register for the November general election.
Vote at any Fort Bend early-voting location, Monday through Friday.
Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at your assigned precinct.
Re-electing a judge takes more than goodwill — it takes neighbors talking to neighbors and a campaign that can keep the lights on through November.
Every dollar funds yard signs, door-knocking literature, and the voter outreach that gets us across the finish line on November 3.
DonateBlock-walk, phone-bank, host a meet-and-greet, or staff an early-voting site. Tell us how you’d like to help and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours.
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Fort Bend County, Texas. Authorized political committee under Texas Election Code §253.