Phillip Hays and Kara Darnell Former County Court-at-Law Judge Phillip Hays and Associate Judge Kara L. Darnell.

Two former colleagues of the same law firm are facing off in the Republican Primary runoff for Lubbock County's 99th District Court.

Both Kara L. Darnell and Phillip Hays have judicial experience, and they're using it to argue why they are more qualified than their opponent. The winner of the runoff will become judge in 2021, since there's no Democratic candidate in November.

Texas Lawyer is publishing Q&As with the judicial candidates in primary runoffs. Early voting runs from June 29 to July 10, and election day is July 14.

Hays wrote that he served as judge of Lubbock County Court-at-Law No. 3, where he heard civil, probate, guardianship and family law cases. Previously, Darnell was an associate and Hays was a partner in the same law firm. He argues he's been a lawyer for longer.

"Day in and day out, I live the civil trial and family law cases, which she has not done in at least 10 years. Her judicial experience is confined to child protection cases, and my judicial experience was over civil, family and other highly contested matters," Hayes wrote.

Darnell has served as an associate judge for more than six years hearing child protective services cases, and before, was a civil lawyer for 10 years. She claims she has civil and family law experience, the two areas covered by the 99th District Court.

"Every week I listen to testimony, make rulings on evidence, and then make critical rulings about the future of families in the Lubbock area," Darnell wrote. "There is no substitute for the experience of serving as a judge."

Here are the Q&As for Darnell and Hays.

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

Kara L. Darnell

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

Kara L. Darnell Kara L. Darnell. (Courtesy photo)

I graduated from Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University School of Law. I am currently an associate judge of the South Plains Foster Care Court and I have been a judge for over six years. Prior to becoming a judge, I practiced in the areas of civil litigation and family law. I have 12 years of experience in private practice in the specific areas of law covered by the 99th District Court. Because of my civil/family litigation experience and because of my judicial experience, I am the most qualified candidate for this position.

I am a member of the State Bar of Texas (2001) and the Lubbock Area Bar Association (2009). I am also a master in the Texas Tech Law School Chapter of American Inn of Court.

Why do you want this position?

Serving as judge of the 99th District Court would allow me the opportunity to apply my experience, knowledge and judicial expertise to a court that deals with a broader variety of cases, more families, and more litigants who need an experienced Judge.

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

The 99th District Court is a civil and family law court, and I have experience in both areas. I have over 10 years of experience in private practice trying civil cases and four years of private practice handling all kinds of family law cases. However the key difference between me and my opponent is my six and a half years of experience as a judge. I am currently an associate judge hearing child protective services cases for Lubbock and five other counties. Every week I listen to testimony, make rulings on evidence, and then make critical rulings about the future of families in the Lubbock area. I have done this for almost seven years now. There is no substitute for the experience of serving as a Judge. I am very conservative, I apply the law the way it is written, and I have a very strict constructionist approach with respect to the U.S. and Texas constitutions. My judicial experience sets me apart in this race and makes me the most qualified and experienced candidate.

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

I currently manage one of the busiest dockets in the courthouse. I am fair, but strict, when it comes to continuances and delays. I will allow the parties sufficient time to properly prepare for trial, however I will not tolerate unnecessary delay. I believe it is very important to adhere to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, discovery control plans, scheduling orders, and any local rules regarding the timely and efficient disposal of cases. Parties need resolution. I will do my best to keep cases moving through the system as fairly and efficiently as possible.

Where can voters go for more information about you?

Phillip Hays

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

Phillip Hays Former County Court-at-Law Judge Phillip Hays. (Courtesy photo)

I am the former judge in County Court at Law #3 in Lubbock County. I have been practicing since 1990 in civil trials, family law, deceptive trade practices, personal injuries, trust disputes and real estate.

Why do you want this position?

Having been a judge, I am seeking this position to continue to give back to the community and to keep well-qualified and experienced judges in the Lubbock County Courthouse.

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

I have practiced law as first chair in the civil trial arena for 30 years. I was the judge in County Court at Law #3 in Lubbock hearing civil trials, contested probate and guardianship matters and family law cases. My opponent, while I cannot speak to her experience prior to 2009, worked as an associate in my firm for four years handling mostly CPS appointments and discovery work for one of my partners. In 2014, she applied for the position she currently holds as associate judge in the Child Protection Court. She has held that position for almost six years.

My 30 years of trial experience in the types of cases that come before this court versus whatever her trial experience was before 2009 is the biggest difference between us. Day in and day out, I live the civil trial and family law cases, which she has not done in at least 10 years. Her judicial experience is confined to child protection cases, and my judicial experience was over civil, family and other highly contested matters.

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

As a sitting judge, I managed the court's docket by forcing lawyers to live up to the scheduling orders, quickly setting hearings, and making quick and fair decisions. I managed jury trials in a timely manner and was in the courtroom hearing cases almost every day. I plan to use the same approach to the 99th District Court.

Where can voters go for more information about you?