About
Judge Juli A. Mathew serves as the Presiding Judge of County Court at Law 3, overseeing a broad range of cases, including criminal, juvenile, civil, mental health, probate and guardianship, eminent domain, and Justice of the Peace appeals. Passionate about fostering positive change, she spearheaded the county’s first Juvenile Intervention and Mental Health Specialty Court (JIMHS), personally engaging with youth to support their successful reintegration into society.
Judge Mathew is deeply committed to protecting the community and ensuring the safety and welfare of all residents of Fort Bend County. As a mother raising her three children in this county, she understands firsthand the importance of fostering a secure and thriving environment for all families.
Her dedication to public service extends far beyond the courtroom. She is an active member of the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) and serves on the organizing committee and as a speaker for the Color of Justice Conference, which aims to inspire girls and minorities to pursue legal and judicial careers. Additionally, she chairs the U.S. Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), helping law enforcement officers obtain essential equipment to perform their duties. She previously served on the Bail Bond Committee in Fort Bend County as well as the Administrative Judge of the County Courts.
Judge Mathew also launched the Chai & Chat series to promote transparency in local government and provide a platform for community members to engage with elected officials. Through the Kitchen to the Courthouse initiative, she introduced young girls to groundbreaking female leaders across various industries. She has also served as the Administrative Judge for the County Courts during her tenure.
The Honorable Judge Juli A. Mathew was elected to County Court at Law 3, in 2018 after having been Associate Municipal Judge in Arcola, TX and a practicing attorney for 15 years with experience in mass tort, civil litigation, probate, and criminal matters in Fort Bend and surrounding counties including Harris, Montgomery, Galveston and Brazoria. Judge Mathew was voted the Administrative Judge for the County Courts by her peers and also heads the first Juvenile Intervention and Mental Health Court.
Judge Mathew, a Fort Bend resident of almost two decades, is a proud immigrant from Kerala, India, is bilingual in Malayalam and English, and is the first Asian American woman to be elected in Fort Bend County and the first Indian American Women elected to the bench in the United States.
Judge Mathew grew up in Philadelphia and attended Penn State University before attending Delaware Law School for her Juris Doctorate. A few of her academic achievements include:
- Alpha Class member of the Asian American service sorority Alpha Kappa Delta Phi
- Studied abroad at University of Leiden, The Netherlands about the Dutch Criminal Justice System
- President, Student Government Association at Penn State Abington
- Citation for Leadership from Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Environmental Law Clinic & Trial Advocacy Program at Delaware Law School
In 2023, Judge Mathew was invited to teach as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston Law Center, where she teaches Professional Strategic Writing to 2L and 3L students. A highly sought-after speaker, she has delivered keynote addresses at prestigious events, including the Juvenile Justice Conference, American Judges Association, and Texas Democratic Women, among others.
Her exceptional work has earned her numerous prestigious awards, including the NAACP Community Service Award, Legislative Award, FOMAA Woman of the Year, Suburban Sugar Land Valiant Women of the Vote Honoree Award, Kerala Samajam of Yonkers Lifetime Achievement Award, Bollywood Pageant Inc. Making the Difference Award, and the Outstanding Woman in Law Award from the South Indian US Chamber of Commerce.
Judge Mathew began her legal journey at Penn State University before earning her Juris Doctorate from Delaware Law School. A proud Fort Bend resident for over two decades, she embraces her immigrant roots from Kerala, India. Fluent in Malayalam and English, she made history as the first Indian American woman elected to the bench in the United States and the first Asian American woman elected in Fort Bend County.
Before her election in 2018, Judge Mathew served as the Associate Municipal Judge in Arcola, Texas, and accumulated 15 years of experience as a practicing attorney, handling cases in Fort Bend and neighboring counties such as Harris, Montgomery, Galveston, and Brazoria.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Judge Mathew is a devoted wife and loving mother to three daughters. Her unwavering commitment to justice, fairness, and service to every resident of Fort Bend County continues to guide her work.
Judge Juli A. Mathew is a respected leader in the legal field, embodying excellence and dedication to public service. Her tenure on the bench reflects her steadfast commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves in Fort Bend County.
Accomplishments
Judge Mathew launched this program in January 2021 to support youth with mental health challenges within the Fort Bend County Juvenile Justice System. The initiative, backed by all County Court at Law Judges, Juvenile Probation, Texana, and other professional treatment providers, aims to rehabilitate vulnerable youth and reduce recidivism. On December 8, 2020, the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the creation of this Specialty Court. The program also received strong community support, from the Minaret Foundation, Ft Bend Transformation Church, and the Fort Bend Interfaith Community, expressing their endorsement during public comments.
Partnering with Chef Roshini Gurnani and the India Culture Center, Judge Mathew initiated this program to empower high school girls by introducing them to influential women across various industries. Recognizing the male dominance in both the restaurant and legal fields, she aimed to inspire young women to break barriers. Approximately 30 girls participated, gaining mentorship and invaluable career insights.
This initiative, along with other social events, was created to bridge the gap between the community and the legal system. Designed to educate the public—particularly first- and second-generation Americans—these gatherings foster understanding, reduce fear, and make the judiciary more accessible.
Offered high school students the opportunity to visit the courts and gain a deeper understanding of the judiciary and its functions, fostering civic engagement and interest in the legal profession.
Judge Mathew has spoken at numerous schools, churches, and organizations across the U.S., educating communities about the courts and the legal system. Her engagements include:
- Fort Bend ISD Leadership Academy
- South Asian Bar Association National Conference
- Asian American Bar Association
- Juvenile Justice Conference
- American Judges Association
- Houston City Hall International Women’s Day Celebration
- GEMS Women Empowerment Soiree
- Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Black History Month Celebration
- AAPI Conference
- Texas Democratic Women
- Indian American Nurses Association of Greater Houston
- Malayali Association of Greater Houston
- FOMAA, FOKANA, SAWEA, and Exchange Clubs
Played a pivotal role in establishing this organization dedicated to community service and leadership development.
Shared expertise on juvenile justice reforms and best practices to improve outcomes for youth in the legal system.
- Elected by judicial colleagues as Administrative Judge of the County Courts
- Founded the Juvenile Intervention and Mental Health Court (JIMH)- Judge Mathew created the JIMH Court to begin servicing youth with mental health issues in the Fort Bend County Juvenile Justice System in January 2021. The program has the support of all of the County Court at Law Judges, Juvenile Probation, Texana as well as other professional and treatment providers. The program is set to help the most vulnerable in our community, to help rehabilitate and reduce recidivism. The Ft Bend County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, December 08, 2020, gave unanimous approval to create the new Specialty Court. The court received support from the local community as well. During the public comments, Shariq Abdul Ghani, representing the Minaret Foundation, Ft Bend Transformation Church, and the Fort Bend Interfaith Community spoke in support of this court.
- Launched the Kitchen to the Courthouse program for High-school girls in conjunction with Chef Roshini Guarani and the India Culture Center. When looking at the Restaurant Industry, we see that the majority of the chefs are male. (The same was true in the legal industry for very many years.) So, when I met Chef Gurnani, I was excited to team up with her and create this endeavor along with the India Culture Center. We had about 30 girls participate. Through this program, we introduced young girls to influential females, in various industries, who are paving the way for others to follow.
- Created the Chai and Chat Series and various social events to introduce the courts and legal system to the general public to become more knowledgeable and especially first and second-generation Americans not to be fearful but make it more user friendly.
- Provided internship opportunities to students from various high schools, colleges and law schools.
- Collaborated with Fort Bend ISD Leadership Academy for High School students to visit and learn more about the judiciary and it’s functions.
- Speaker at various schools, churches, organization across the US including the Fort Bend ISD Leadership Academy, FOMAA, FOKANA, Exchange Clubs, and churches about the courts and legal system.
- A founding member of the Lone Star Exchange Club.
- Speaker, Children’s Mental Health Summit
- Presenter, Juvenile Justice Association of Texas
- Created the Chai and Chat Series and various social events to introduce the courts and legal system to the general public to become more knowledgeable and especially first and second-generation Americans not to be fearful but make it more user friendly.
- Provided internship opportunities to students from various high schools, colleges and law schools.
- Collaborated with Fort Bend ISD Leadership Academy for High School students to visit and learn more about the judiciary and it’s functions.
- Speaker at various schools, churches, organization across the US including the Fort Bend ISD Leadership Academy, FOMAA, FOKANA, Exchange Clubs, and churches about the courts and legal system.
- A founding member of the Lone Star Exchange Club.
- Speaker, Children’s Mental Health Summit
- Presenter, Juvenile Justice Association of Texas
