Gov. Greg Abbott has made his pick for the bench of the 236th Judicial District Court in Tarrant County, appointing attorney H. Dustin "Dusty" Fillmore, III to serve as judge. According to the official Texas governor's website, Fillmore's term as appointed judge is slated to last until the end of 2026, which puts a cap on a potentially transformative era for the Tarrant County judiciary.
Fillmore, a Fort Worth native, brings a trove of experience from his time as a partner at The Fillmore Law Firm, L.L.P. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Baylor University, and earned his Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law. His legal expertise is complemented by his affiliations with the State Bar of Texas, The Federalist Society, Federal Bar Association, and the Tarrant County Bar Association. Beyond the courtroom, he contributes his time to AVENEW ministry at Christ Chapel Bible Church, a reflection of his community involvement.
Abbott's appointment has sparked conversations among local legal observers, with some pondering the potential shifts in legal precedents and courtroom dynamics Fillmore's presence might usher in. The governor's office has yet to release further comments on the appointment process or the selection criteria employed.
