Terry Adams and James Lombardino L-R Terry Adams and James Lombardino

The Republican runoff candidates for the First Court of Appeals in Houston are dueling for the vote with competing claims of their experience in trial and appellate law and on the bench.

Terry Adams and James Lombardino are vying to become the Place 5 justice on the First Court in the July 14 runoff election. Whoever wins will compete in November against Democratic candidate Amparo Monique Guerra.

Adams touts his 30 years handling appeals across Texas in both state and federal appellate courts.

"I have handled more appeals than all the other candidates, for both parties, combined," wrote Adams in an email.

But Lombardino says the best appellate justices have been trial lawyers for a long time and served several years on the bench. He practiced trial law in criminal, civil and family law matters, and served eight years on the 308th District Court.

"In my career, I have been the judge, trial counsel or appellate counsel in over 12,000 cases," Lombardino wrote. "My opponent does not have this experience."

Texas Lawyer is conducting Q&As with the judicial candidates who are competing in primary runoffs July 14. Early voting runs from June 29 to July 10.

Here are the Q&As for Adams and Lombardino.

Read more: Texas Voters: Meet the Candidates Running for Judge in July Primary Runoffs

Terry Adams

What is a brief biography of work experience, educational qualifications and career honors that you want voters to know about?

Terry Adams Terry Adams.

I attended South Texas College of Law where I was the editor-in-chief of the South Texas Law Review. I then served as a briefing attorney for Justice Raul Gonzalez on the Texas Supreme Court. For more than 30 years, my law practice has been focused on handling appeals in the appellate courts across Texas. I have handled appeals in the courts of appeals, the Texas Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. I have been recognized by Texas Super Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America and H Texas Magazine as being one of the top appellate lawyers in Texas. I am also rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.

Why do you want this position?

I have always believed that serving as a judge or justice is the highest and best calling in the law. This belief was reinforced when I had the privilege of working for Justice Gonzalez at the Texas Supreme Court. He taught me the importance of honoring God in the practice of law and that serving as an appellate justice, as contemplated by our Founding Fathers, is the best way to use a law degree to serve others. I am passionate about the law. I have a strong work ethic and a dedicated commitment to excellence. After practicing appellate law for more than 30 years in private practice, I want to use my appellate experience and work ethic to serve the citizens of Texas on the First Court of Appeals, Place 5.

How are you different or better suited for the bench than your opponent?

I am the best prepared, qualified, and experienced candidate in the Republican Runoff for the First Court of Appeals, Place 5.

The First Court of Appeals is one of the most important courts in Texas. It reviews trial court judgments from a 10-county area and its word is usually final. As a result, the Justices on this court must be highly qualified and experienced in handling appeals.

I meet this important criteria.

  • I am a former Texas Supreme Court briefing attorney.
  • For more than 30 years, I have handled hundreds of appeals in the courts of appeals across Texas, the Texas Supreme Court, the Fifth Circuit, and the U.S Supreme Court.
  • I have handled more appeals than all the other candidates, for both parties, combined.
  • I am recognized by Texas Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America as being one of the top appellate lawyers in Texas.
  • I am committed to the rule of law and will not legislate from the bench.

How would you go about managing this court's docket efficiently and effectively?

I will rely on my 30 years of appellate experience and work tirelessly on the cases before me. I will also work collaboratively with my colleagues and employ the latest available technology to ensure that cases are handled as expeditiously as possible and correctly under the existing law.

Where can voters go for more information about you?

- Website: www.AdamsforJustice.com - Facebook: @AdamsforJustice - Resume

James Lombardino

What is a brief biography of work experience, educational qualifications and career honors that you want voters to know about?

James Lambardino Judge James Lombardino.

I started my legal career as an assistant district attorney in Harris County, Texas, and soon became a litigation partner in a Houston law firm trying jury and nonjury cases in state and federal courts. In 2010, I was elected judge of the 308th Family District Court in Harris County, Texas. I held that position through 2018. Currently, I am a visiting judge for the State of Texas.

Why do you want this position?

The court of appeals hears appeals of civil, criminal and family law cases. I have extensive experience in all these areas. The court of appeals has not had a justice with family law experience since Justice Eva Guzman left the court of appeals to become a justice on the Supreme Court in 2009.

How are you different or better suited for the bench than your opponent?

The Court of Appeals rules on criminal, civil and family law matters. I have extensive trial and judicial experience in all these areas. After law school, I began my legal career as a Harris County assistant district attorney before setting out on my own and establishing a successful 30-year career in private practice. In 2010, I took the bench as elected judge of the 308th District Court, where I served for eight years. In my career, I have been the judge, trial counsel or appellate counsel in over 12,000 cases. My opponent has handled a total of about 400 cases and has rarely, if ever, been lead counsel in any trial matter. He has rarely, if ever, been counsel in a criminal or family law matter. Candidates who make the best appellate judges are the ones who have had a long career as a trial lawyer followed by several years on the bench. Such judges must know and understand the complete process, from pre-trial through trial, both as an advocate and as a trial judge. My opponent does not have this experience.

How would you go about managing this court's docket efficiently and effectively?

The court of appeals is managed by the chief justice; however, I would be able to contribute my knowledge on family law issues to help identify cases that need the appellate court's immediate attention. These include, for example, issues concerning the possession and safety of children and cases seeking termination of the parent-child relationship.

Where can voters go for more information about you?

- Website: www.1stcourt.com - Resume