Judge Ken Cannata
Judge Kenneth Cannata became the Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Position 2 Justice of the Peace on Tuesday, after Commissioners Court created the new position and unanimously appointed him to the role on January 8, 2026.
Judge Cannata was sworn in by Judge Ed Krenek on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Fort Bend County Historical Courthouse Ceremonial Courtroom. He brings more than 40 years of legal experience to the role. He previously served as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3 for 11 years before Gov. Greg Abbott appointed him as the first judge of the 458th District Court in Fort Bend County in September 2017.
After leaving the District Court bench in 2019, Cannata joined the Fort Bend County Attorney's Office as an Assistant County Attorney. Six months later he was promoted to Chief of Litigation, a position he held until recently.
He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida in 1979 and a juris doctorate with honors from South Texas College of Law in 1983. Judge Cannata has been board certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1993.
His legal experience includes representing clients before the Texas Courts of Appeals, state and federal district courts and the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.