Meet Judge Jerry Simoneaux

Leadership in Our Community

Jerry Simoneaux has served as Judge of Harris County Probate Court 1 since January 2019. As judge, he helps families navigate the legal process after losing a loved one and protects vulnerable individuals who need assistance with life decisions.

Known for bringing both compassion and innovation to the courthouse, Judge Simoneaux was the first judge in Harris County to offer remote video hearings—implementing this technology months before the COVID pandemic made it necessary, saving Harris County families time and money.

Education and Early Career

Judge Simoneaux's journey to the bench began at the University of Houston, where he earned two degrees simultaneously—Business Administration and French—graduating in 1992.

After receiving his law degree from South Texas College of Law in 2001, he built a successful legal career focused on helping families through difficult times:

• Founded and managed the Simoneaux Law Firm (later Simoneaux & Watson) from 2001-2009 and 2014-2018
• Served as Staff Attorney in the same court he now presides over (Probate Court 1) from 2009-2010
• Joined the litigation team at Galligan & Manning from 2011-2013
• Worked as an Associate Judge in the Houston Municipal Courts from 2015-2018 while maintaining his private law practice

His legal expertise has made a lasting impact—two of his cases are referenced in important legal resources used by attorneys across Texas: Johanson's Texas Estates Codes Annotated and O'Connor's Texas Rules of Civil Trials.

Improving Our Legal System

Judge Simoneaux works constantly to make our courts work better for everyone:

• Founded the Texas Probate Law American Inn of Court to promote professionalism and mentor new attorneys
• Serves as a Director on the Board of Houston Volunteer Lawyers, helping provide free legal services to those in need
• Participates in the Legislative Committee of the State Bar Judicial Section, working to improve Texas laws
• Was chosen by the National Center for State Courts as one of only 5 national delegates to the Fourth National Guardianship Summit, helping develop better protections for vulnerable individuals
• Frequently teaches continuing education courses to judges and lawyers throughout Texas
• Briefly returned to his alma mater as an adjunct professor at South Texas College of Law (2006-2007)

Beyond the Courthouse

When not serving on the bench, Judge Simoneaux is an enthusiastic sailor who regularly competes in races along the Texas Gulf Coast. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain's License with a sailing endorsement for vessels under 50 tons.

In 2016, when travel restrictions to Cuba were temporarily relaxed, he helped organize the first group of U.S. sailors to enter Havana Harbor on privately owned boats since 1958. The group went on to compete in a sailing regatta along the Cuban coast.

Judge Simoneaux and his husband, Christopher Bown, have been together since 1987 and were married on December 12, 1991. They have one son, Chad Simoneaux.