The 2026 North Texas Bench Book includes comprehensive sections for Texas judges serving Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Rockwall, and Tarrant counties, along with Dallas and Collin counties. Designed as a practical bench book and trial practice guide, it supports both new and experienced Texas trial attorneys. Attorneys unfamiliar with specific Texas courts will find clear judge preferences, while seasoned practitioners benefit from updated courtroom practice insights, local procedures, and changes affecting Texas litigation. We believe this resource serves Dallas attorneys, out of state counsel, and litigators across North Texas, and we welcome continued feedback from the legal community.
The volume is organized by court divisions to streamline Dallas litigation practice and courtroom preparation. Each section opens with a directory of judges, listing addresses, suite or floor numbers, and phone details for Dallas County court judges, Tarrant County court judges, and surrounding jurisdictions. A consolidated table after the contents guides readers to each judge's profile. Local civil rules for Dallas courts appear at the start of the Courts at Law section and govern district courts, followed by a comprehensive alphabetical index.
The answers to the questionnaires were provided by the individual judges and have not been substantively edited.
The 2026 edition of North Texas Bench Book includes the addition of many new judges' profiles as well as information about the new Texas Business Courts covering North Texas:
- A new chapter for the Texas Business Court expands this bench book with Court Procedures and Local Rules covering the First and Eighth Divisions of the Texas Business Court, offering a focused trial practice guide for modern courtroom practice and Texas litigation counsel
- New Texas judges' profiles have been added across all jurisdictions included in the North Texas Bench Book, featuring Dallas courts, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Kaufmann, and Tarrant counties, supporting updated judge preferences and insights for litigators
- New and revised content addresses the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas courts, including a new Chief Judge in Fort Worth, additional Dallas Federal Court judges, and updated listings for Bankruptcy Courts in Amarillo and Lubbock, strengthening Dallas Fort Worth litigation coverage
- Updated contact information for judges and court staff ensures accurate access for every Texas trial attorney, including addresses, phone numbers, emails, and fax details
- Updated website links include the Supreme Court of Texas, Court of Criminal Appeals, and newly established Texas Business Court