Two candidates in the Republican Primary runoff for Denton County's 431st District Court are both arguing that their legal experience better qualifies them for the seat.

Jim Johnson and Derbha Jones are competing for the Republican nomination for the Denton-based bench. The winner will face off against Democratic candidate Diana Weitzel in November.

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

Jones wrote that she has handled more cases, and tried more cases to a jury and a judge. She noted that she's board certified in family law and child welfare law.

"This court deals almost exclusively in family law matters, from child custody to the painful realities of abuse and neglect. As a parent who has adopted a child, served as a foster parent and my advocacy for children in court, I am the more experienced candidate with a perspective from various components involved in the protection of children who have been neglected or abused," Jones wrote.

But Johnson claimed that the 431st District Court is general jurisdiction and so it also handles criminal, civil and business lawsuits.

"My opponent's experience is limited to family law and child welfare specialist, and she has zero criminal trial experience and zero district court business (or nonfamily civil law) case experience," wrote Johnson. "I have conducted trials in criminal law, family law, and business law—and have jury trial experience in multiple counties."

Here are the Q&As for Johnson and Jones.

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

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Jim Johnson

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

Jim Johnson Denton solo practitioners Jim Johnson. Courtesy photo

I graduated valedictorian of Everman High School then went to The University of Texas at Austin where I finished in the top 1% of my class with triple-major in economics, accounting and business in the University of Texas Business Honors Program. It was always my dream to be a jury trial lawyer, and 14 years ago I went to law school at Texas Wesleyan (now Texas A&M) where I also graduated top 1%. I began my career as a certified public accountant for Ernst & Young. I next served as chief finance officer of Associates International Holdings Corp., then was promoted to chief executive officer of Citifinancial Japan Inc., where I led a complex business with more than 900 offices and 7,000 employees.

My law practice during the past 11 years includes business, family, and criminal law cases. I've done jury trials in Denton, Tarrant, Dallas and Williamson Counties. I've been admitted to practice one case in Clark County, Nevada, and have done cases in the federal courts of the Texas Northern and Texas Eastern federal districts. For the past 10 years, I've served as an adjunct professor of law teaching one class per semester at Texas A&M University Law School.

I am the Denton County Republican Party's First Vice Chair – Finance. My wife, Pam Johnson, and I are active members of eight local Republican Party clubs, and we served as delegates to the Texas Republican Party State Conventions in 2018, 2016 and 2014.

Why do you want this position?

This district judge position is a natural next step for my career and a great fit for my conservative values. The 431st District Court's docket is diverse with general jurisdiction over business, family and criminal law cases. This court's docket needs to be managed by an attorney with excellent legal knowledge and proven experience in executive management.

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

I am the only candidate with experience in all areas of law handled by this court. The 431st District Court is general jurisdiction: its largest number of cases are criminal felonies, followed by civil or business lawsuits, then family law (Child Protective Services are only 2% of the cases). My opponent's experience is limited to family law and child welfare specialist, and she has zero criminal trial experience and zero district court business (or non-family civil law) case experience. I have conducted trials in criminal law, family law, and business law—and have jury trial experience in multiple counties: Denton, Collin, Tarrant, Dallas and Williamson, while my opponent has experience in only one county. I also have federal court experience in the Texas Northern District, Southern District and Eastern District trial courts (my opponent is not admitted to the bar to try cases in federal trial courts). I have served as an adjunct professor of law at Texas A&M Law School for the past 11 years.

Finally, I am best suited to be the Republican nominee as a proven conservative Republican: I am first vice chairman for the Denton County Republican Party, have been a Texas State GOP delegate to multiple conventions and I am endorsed by every conservative organization that has vetted this race, including Denton County Conservative Coalition, Texas Values Action, Texas Family Action, Gun Owners of America, Texans for Courageous Courts and Texas Right to Life.

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

I would hold hearings to resolve motions for summary judgment early in cases where appropriate, and additionally apply my experience in business to incorporate efficiencies in all court processes.

Where can voters go for more information about you?

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Derbha Jones

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

Derbha Jones Denton solo practitioner Derbha Jones. Courtesy photo

I was born in Monroe, Louisiana, to hardworking, Christian parents. Although my parents did not complete high school education, they always provided support so that I could pursue an education. After graduating from Northeast Louisiana University with a degree in radiologic technology, I moved to Texas in 1989 and worked as an X-ray technologist in Denton. While working full-time as an X-ray tech, I attended the night program at Texas Wesleyan School of Law (now the Texas A&M School of Law). I was admitted to practice law in Texas in 2002, and 17 years later, I have built a successful practice in family law, in addition to child welfare law, representing abused and neglected children across North Texas.

  • Admitted to Practice U.S. Supreme Court in 2012
  • Board Certified – Family Law
  • Board Certified – Child Welfare Law
  • Graduate of State Bar of Texas Leadership Class in 2019
  • National Counsel for Children – Child Welfare Law Specialist
  • Certified Attorney Ad Litem for Abused and Neglected Children
  • Adjunct Professor Texas Women's University Denton – Family Law and
  • Mediation 2016 -2018
  • Child Welfare Law Section – Board Member – State Bar of Texas
  • Family Drug Court Attorney – Denton County
  • Probate Pattern Jury Charge Committee Member – State Bar of Texas
  • Member of Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists
  • Member of National Association of Counsel for Children
  • State Bar College of Texas- Fellow Member
  • Member of Denton County Bar Association
  • Legal Aid of Northwest Texas – Board Member
  • Denton Housing Authority – Board Member
  • Former Denton County CASA – Board Member
  • Former Child Abuse and Neglect Committee Member- State Bar of Texas

Why do you want this position?

Becoming a judge is one of the goals of my career. I have accomplished many goals, which include being board certified in family law and in child welfare law. I believe that judges should be elected based on their experience in practicing law and proven knowledge of the law through representation of clients in a court of law. I hope to serve and continue using my experience to make sure that justice is served, and that all litigants are treated with respect and dignity in the court of law.

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

I am one of only 18 attorneys in the state of Texas who are board certified in both family law and child welfare law. Without taking into account surrounding counties, in my 17 years of legal practice, I have represented clients as lead attorney in 600 verifiable cases in Denton County courts alone, compared to my opponent's legal record of 22 cases in Denton courts throughout his entire career. Out of the 600 cases, I have presented 25 cases to a jury and have presented 450 cases for trial before a judge. Many of the remaining cases were resolved by mediation or some other form of alternative dispute resolution.

In contrast, my opponent has been listed as counsel of record in less than 20 family law and criminal law matters during his legal career and very few have required a final trial. In addition, my opponent has not represented a client in a family law matter, nor criminal matter, in several years.

I am the only candidate who is certified by the National Association of Counsel for Children as a child welfare law specialist, and I am the only candidate with the level of experience required by the Denton District Courts to serve as appointed attorney for children removed from their homes in Child Protective Services cases. This court deals almost exclusively in family law matters, from child custody to the painful realities of abuse and neglect. As a parent who has adopted a child, served as a foster parent and my advocacy for children in court, I am the more experienced candidate with a perspective from various components involved in the protection of children who have been neglected or abused.

I have been endorsed by the other two attorneys who were candidates in the primary election for this race. The differences between my opponent and I could not be more stark. I have the proven, verifiable and substantial legal experience and knowledge of the law, which are qualities that voters should look for in this election for judge of the 431st Judicial District Court.

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

I would implement the system of time limits for arguments in certain stages of a case in order for the court docket to move along efficiently, while at the same time, understanding that some cases cannot be under a time constraint so that all evidence and testimony can be considered. I would also treat each person that enters the courtroom with respect while demanding respect for the judicial process.

Where can voters go for more information about you?