About
Judge Juli A. Mathew is the Presiding Judge of County Court at Law 3, where she oversees a diverse caseload involving criminal, juvenile, civil, mental health, probate and guardianship, and eminent domain cases. With a passion for promoting positive change, she is the pioneering force behind the county first Juvenile Intervention and Mental Health (JIMHS), a specialty court, personally engaging with and supporting youth to foster their successful integration into society.
Judge Mathew legal journey began at Penn State University and continued at Delaware Law School, where she earned her Juris Doctorate. A dedicated resident of Fort Bend for over two decades, Judge Mathew takes pride in her immigrant roots from Kerala, India. Fluent in both Malayalam and English, she holds the distinction of being the first Indian American woman elected to the bench in the United States and the first Asian American woman elected in Fort
Bend County.
Her commitment to public service extends beyond the courtroom, as she actively participates in various community engagements. Notably, Judge Mathew is a member of the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ), and is part of the organizing committee and a speaker for the Color of Justice Conference, which encourages girls and minorities to consider legal and judicial careers by bringing them together with judges and lawyers, and providing them with resources to pursue their aspirations. Judge Mathew also chairs the US Department of Justice, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), and serves on the Bail Bond Committee in Fort Bend County. She initiated the Chai & Chat series, fostering transparency in local government and providing a platform for the community to engage with elected officials and address county concerns. Kitchen to the Courthouse was also another initiative she started introducing young girls to female trail blazers in various industries that have shattered the glass ceiling. Judge Mathew has also served as the Administrative Judge of the
County Courts during her tenure on the bench.
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
A sought-after speaker, Judge Mathew has delivered keynote addresses at notable conventions and gatherings, including the Juvenile Justice Conference, American Judges Association, Texas Democratic Women, and others. Her outstanding contributions have earned her prestigious accolades, such as the NAACP Community Service Award, Honoree at the National Association for Diversity Empowerment, FOMAA Woman of the Year, and Outstanding Woman in Law by the South Indian US Chamber of Commerce.
Before her election in 2018, Judge Mathew served as the Associate Municipal Judge in Arcola, Texas, and amassed 15 years of experience as a practicing attorney, handling diverse cases in Fort Bend and neighboring counties, including Harris, Montgomery, Galveston, and Brazoria.
Aside from her remarkable professional achievements, Judge Mathew cherishes her roles as a devoted wife and a loving mother to her three daughters. With a steadfast commitment to serving every Fort Bend resident, she upholds values of understanding, fairness, and justice.
Judge Juli A. Mathew stands as a highly respected figure, embodying excellence in her legal career and unwavering dedication to public service. Her presence on the bench reflects her commitment to justice and making a positive impact in the lives of those she serves in Fort Bend County.
Accomplishments
- 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
