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Local Rules of Court
Forms and Documents
| Forms and Documents | |
|---|---|
| 240th Local Rules and Court Procedures | |
| 240th Virtual Hearing Policies and Procedures | |
| 240th Court Procedures - Affidavits of Surety to Surrender | |
| 240th Exhibit Rules | |
| 240th Associate Judge Reset | |
| 240th Presiding Judge Reset | |
| 240th Scheduling Order | |
| 240th Ad Litem and Mediator Appointment Application | |
| Attorney Voucher (1st page) | |
| Attorney Voucher (2nd page) | |
Court Staff
240th District Court
| Staff | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
|
Presiding Judge: Surendran K. Pattel |
surendran.pattel@fortbendcountytx.gov | 346-481-6652 |
| Selena Love Sifuentes, Court Coordinator | 240dc@fortbendcountytx.gov | 281-341-8600 |
| Marisol Ramos, Court Reporter | marisol.ramosDC240@fortbendcountytx.gov | 281-341-8601 |
| Blake Hopson, Bailiff | blake.hopson@fortbendcountytx.gov | 281-341-4403 |
|
Associate Judge: Derek Obialo |
derek.obialo@fortbendcountytx.gov | 281-238-3328 |
| Elizabeth Adelekan, Court Coordinator | 240AJ@fbctx.gov | 346-481-6012 |
Court Calendar
Court Dockets
Associate Judge Derek Obialo
Honorable Derek Obialo, Associate Judge
Judge Derek U. Obialo earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Abia State University in Nigeria in 1990 and was called to the Nigerian Bar after graduating from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, Nigeria, in 1991. He later earned an MBA from Houston Christian University (formerly Houston Baptist University) in 2003 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami, Florida, in 2007. Before attending law school at the University of Miami, Judge Obialo worked in construction claims consulting. Prior to assuming office as the Associate Judge of the 240th District Court in January 2025, Judge Obialo maintained a successful legal practice for 17 years primarily in construction law and business litigation. Judge Obialo is a longtime member of the College of the State Bar, he has received multiple community awards and he is deeply committed to public service.
Court Staff
Court Coordinator: Elizabeth Adelekan
Email: 240AJ@fbctx.gov
Court Reporter: Marisol Ramos
Email: marisol.ramosDC240@fortbendcountytx.gov
Phone: 281-341-8601
Baliff: Blake Hopson
Email: blake.hopson@fortbendcouontytx.gov
Phone: 281 341-4403
240th District Court
Honorable Surendran Pattel, Judge
Judge Surendran K. Pattel has distinguished himself as both a trial and appellate attorney in both his native India and the United States.
Born and raised in Kerala on the Malabar Coast of India, Judge Pattel was educated in Indian schools and received his law degree from the University of Calicut in 1995. Today he is proud to be the first Indian-American to serve as a district court judge in Fort Bend County.
Judge Pattel established an impressive law career in India, to the point of arguing a number of cases before the Supreme Court of India. But when his wife, a nurse, was offered the opportunity to fulfill a long-held dream to work in the United States, they moved to the Houston area in 2007.
Judge Pattel passed the Texas Bar exam, then decided to add to his academic resume by enrolling at the University of Houston Law Center to earn a master’s degree in international law. As part of his studies he wrote a well-received major paper on crimes of international aggression. He presented the paper formally at a conference at Cornell University.
Judge Pattel is a certified mediator. Prior to his election as a judge, he was in private practice, with clients and cases in Fort Bend, Harris and Brazoria counties.
The father of two daughters, Judge Pattel has made it a point to be a community activist. He has been involved in promoting Indian-American culture in the Houston area, and he is a member of the Exchange Club of Sugar Land, which honors academic achievement and assists survivors of domestic abuse.
“I am proud to serve the people of Fort Bend County, and I pledge to serve with dignity and respect for all who appear before me.”
240th Judicial District Court
Mailing Address: 301 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469
Telephone: 281-341-8600
Physical Address: Fort Bend County Justice Center, 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, TX 77469
Courtroom: 3E
View the 240th District Court Rules of Practice.
District Courts
If you do not know the court to which your case is assigned, please call:
- 281-341-4509
Find more information on a Court Case Search
| Locations | |
|---|---|
| 240th Judicial District Court Mailing Address: 301 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469 Main Telephone: 281-341-8600 Main Email: 240dc@fbctx.gov Associate Judge Telephone: 346-481-6012 |
Judge Surendran Pattel, Room 3-E Associate Judge Derek Obialo, Jury Assembly Room 2 Office: Fort Bend County Justice Center 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, TX. 77469 |
| 268th Judicial District Court Mailing Address: 301 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469 Main Telephone: 281-341-8610 Main Email: DeeAnn.Sturdivant@fortbendcountytx.gov Associate Judge Telephone: 832-471-1052 Associate Judge Email: Amanda.HymelDC268@fortbendcountytx.gov |
Judge Steve Rogers, Room 3-D Associate Judge Craig Priesmeyer, Room 20292 Office: Fort Bend County Justice Center 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, TX. 77469 |
| 328th Judicial District Court Mailing Address: 301 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469 Main Telephone: 281-341-4406 Main Email: 328th@fbctx.gov |
Judge Monica Rawlins, Room 3-C Associate Judge Felishia R. Young, Room 3-A Office: Fort Bend County Justice Center 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, TX. 77469 |
| 387th Judicial District Court Mailing Address: 301 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469 Main Telephone: 281-238-3290 Main Email: 387th@fortbendcountytx.gov |
Judge Oscar Telfair III, Room 3-H Associate Judge Jetty Abraham, Room 3-J Office: Fort Bend County Justice Center 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, TX. 77469 |
| 400th Judicial District Court Mailing Address: 301 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469 Main Telephone: 281-341-4422 Main Email: 400dc@fbctx.gov Associate Judge Telephone: 281-238-1926 Associate Judge Email: Neva.Gonzalez@fbctx.gov |
Judge Edward M. Krenek, Room 3-B Associate Judge Stuti Patel, Room 2-J Office: Fort Bend County Justice Center 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, TX. 77469 |
| 434th Judicial District Court Mailing Address: 301 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469 Main Telephone: 281-633-7653 Main Email: 434DC@fbctx.gov Associate Judge Telephone: 281-341-4457 Associate Judge Email: Lena.Smith@fbctx.gov |
Judge J. Christian Becerra, Room 3-I Associate Judge Argie Brame, Room 2-A Office: Fort Bend County Justice Center 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, TX. 77469 |
| 458th Judicial District Court Mailing Address: 301 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469 Main Telephone: 832-471-4905 Main Email: Gabriela.RomeroDC458@fbctx.gov Associate Judge Telephone: 346-481-6014 Associate Judge Email: Raquel.Charles@fbctx.gov |
Judge Maggie Perez-Jaramillo, Room 3-F Associate Judge James Stevens Office: Fort Bend County Justice Center 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, TX. 77469 |
|
Mailing Address: 301 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469 Main Telephone: 832-471-4221 Main Email: 501DC@fortbendcountytx.gov |
Judge Richard T. Bell, Room 1-D Office: Fort Bend County Justice Center 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, TX. 77469 |
|
Mailing Address: 301 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469 Main Telephone: 832-471-4232 Main Email: Sheila.ShifferlyDC502@fortbendcountytx.gov |
Judge Mark Hanna, Room 3-G Office: Fort Bend County Justice Center 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, TX. 77469 |
| 505th Judicial District Court Mailing Address: 301 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469 Main Telephone: 281-238-3244 |
Judge Kali Morgan, Room 1-C Associate Judge LaTosha McGill Clayton, Room 1-A Office: Fort Bend County Justice Center 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, TX. 77469 |
|
Attorney General Child Support IV-D Court |
IV-D Associate Judge Elaine Burgess Office: Fort Bend County Justice Center 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, TX 7469 |