Dion Ramos Defeats Incumbent Republican Judge Jeff Shadwick in Judicial Election Contest for 55th District Court Bench in 2008 Judicial Elections

Dec. 21, 2007 - Governor Rick Perry appoints former HISD board
president and member Jeff Shadwick to replace Judge Jeff Brown

Court location for 55th District Court: 201 Caroline, 9th Fl. Houston, TX 77002
For contact Information including telephone number
see --> Official web page for the 55th District Court of Harris County
Current Judge of this court: Hon. Jeffrey Shadwick
Judge Shadwick was appointed by Governor Perry January 2, 2008
Former presiding judge: Hon. J effrey Vincent Brown aka Judge Jeff Brown, who now sits as a justice
on the Fourteenth Court of Appeals

2008 PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN FOR THE 55TH DISTRICT COURT BENCH

Incumbent: Republican Jeff Shadwick

Four candidates competed for this bench in the 2008 primary elections: Melissa Fertel, Eric
Lunceford, Dion Ramos, and Jeff Shadwick.

The Houston Bar Association's Judicial Candidate Qualification Poll shows that even among
participating lawyers the winner was not a foregone conclusion, although Shadwick and Ramos had
the edge.

The Houston Bar Association insists on the following disclaimer regarding the significance of the poll results: "The Judicial Qualification
Poll is not an endorsement by the Houston Bar Association."

Recent Appeals from cases in the 55th District (Judge Shadwick)

[forthcoming in 2008]

See --> Appeals from cases heard by Former District Court Judge Jeff Brown

APPEALS FROM THE 55TH DISTRICT COURT

In re Allen and Martin Lewis Revocable Trust (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 16, 2010)
(per curiam) (mandamus denied re: trial court’s decision on the special exception,
evidentiary objections, and motion for leave to late-file summary judgment evidence)
DENY PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS: Per Curiam
Before Justices Keyes, Sharp and Massengale
01-09-00294-CV In re Allen and Martin Lewis Revocable Trust, et al.
Appeal from 55th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Jeffrey A. Shadwick

SWP Remic Properties II LP v. HCAD (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 7, 2010)
(Sullivan)(trial court’s order granting Harris County Appraisal District’s (“HCAD”) plea to the
jurisdiction affirmed; ad valorem tax protest appeal judicial review suit not brought by owner
of property. Rule 28 inapplicable)
AFFIRMED: Opinion by Justice Sullivan
14-08-00425-CV SWP Remic Properties II LP as the Property Owners and the Property
Owners v. Harris County Appraisal District
Appeal from 55th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Jeff Shadwick

Leigh v. Kuenstler (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] Oct. 1, 2009)(Guzman)
(DTPA, dispute about allegedly inadequate UIM insurance coverage; insurance agent's
duty to procure insurance; judgment for defendant affirmed)
AFFIRMED: Opinion by Justice Eva Guzman
Before Justices Anderson, Guzman and Boyce
14-08-00245-CV Theresa Leigh v. Richard Kuenstler, Jr.
Appeal from 55th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Jeff Shadwick

Rittger, MD v. Danos (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jun. 18, 2009)(Op. By Hanks)
(HCLC expert report sufficiency challenged, interlocutory appeal, ILA)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Hanks
Before Justices Keyes, Hanks and Bland
01-08-00588-CV Kevin Rittger, M.D. v. Lou Virgina Danos
Appeal from 55th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Jeffrey A. Shadwick

Lomax v. Thomas (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] Aug 28, 2008)(per curiam)
DISMISSED: Per Curiam (DWOJ, interlocutory appeal not authorized)
Before Chief Justice Hedges, Justices Guzman and Brown
14-08-00163-CV        Mark Lomax v. Tommy B. Thomas Et Al
Appeal from 55th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Jeff Shadwick
There is no statute providing for an interlocutory appeal of the court's ruling on indigency
for trial proceedings. Therefore, we are without jurisdiction over this appeal.

THE INCUMBENT IN HIS OWN WORDS	THE CHALLENGER IN HIS OWN WORDS
Jeff Shadwick Republican Currently Judge of the 55th District Court; appointed by Governor Perry; 1981 law degree from Baylor; 27 years of commercial litigation practice making partner in two different firms; AV rated (highest rating available); twice elected member of HISD School Board. www. jeffshadwick.com	Dion Ramos Democrat I have spent 23 years of my life trying civil cases in District Courts in Houston and Southeast Texas. I am certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law. An experienced trial attorney makes an efficient and fair judge.
WHEN SHOULD A JUDGE RECUSE?	WHEN SHOULD A JUDGE RECUSE?
Rule 18b clearly sets out when; a judge should remember why. Recusal strengthens the public’s confidence in the judicial system. Without it, impartiality may come into question. The courthouse is full of qualified, alternate judges, so there is no need to refuse recusal when appropriate.	Rule 18b outlines the conditions upon which a judge has to disqualify himself. These grounds generally involve a personal interest in the case or a relationship to one of the litigants. When his impartiality might be reasonably questioned or he has a personal bias concerning the subject matter or a party, a judge should recuse himself.
Source: LWV Voters Guide: Question to candidate	Source: L eague of Women Voters Guide: Candidate Q&A
More on the incumbent from the Harris County GOP judicial re-election web site: Keep our Judges dot com	More on this candidate form the Harris County Democratice Party judicial campaign web site: Judges for All dot com