For court location and contact info
go to --> Official Webpage of the 281st District Court (Hon. Matthews)
This is a paperless court. See 281st District Court Procedures
Sep. 18, 2009: Attorney Donna Roth announces as candidate for the 281st District bench on the Democratic ticket
(campaign website) (State Bar of Texas Member Profile of Donna Roth)
Nov. 5, 2008: Governor picks replacement for Judge Bernal, who resigned: Sylvia A. Matthews
(newly appointed judge)(see photo of Judge Sylvia A. Matthews)
September 10, 2008: AP reports resignation of Judge David Bernal in late August - Successor to be appointed by
Governor Rick Perry; resignation too late for vacancy to be filling in November 2008 election. Prior to Judge Bernal's
appointment, this bench was held by the Hon. Jane N. Bland, who is now a member of the First Court of Appeals; see
Justice Jane Nenninger Bland
PROFILE DATA FROM SBOT DATABASE ON TEXAS ATTORNEYS (SBOT Profile of Sylvia Matthews)
License Information: Texas Licensed: November 7, 1986
Practice [prior law firm employment] Information
Firm: Andrews Kurth, LLP
Firm Size: Over 200
Occupation: Private Law Practice
Primary Practice Areas: No information reported by attorney
Courts of Admittance:
Federal Courts of Admittance:
US Supreme Court
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
Texas Eastern District Court
Texas Northern District Court
Texas Southern District/Bankruptcy Court
Other Courts of Admittance: No information reported by attorney
Other States Where authorized to practice: No Other States reported by attorney
Education and Certification History
Legal Education:
Law School: Univ. of South Carolina; Graduated 05/1986 with Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Texas Board of Legal Specialization Certifications: No profile data on file for Texas Board of Legal
Specialization Certification
Text of Public Announcement Issued by Governor's Office
Gov. Perry Appoints Matthews to 281st Judicial District Court
November 05, 2008
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry has named Sylvia A. Matthews of Houston judge of the 281st Judicial District
Court of Harris County for a term to expire at the next general election.
Matthews is a partner with Andrews Kurth LLP, focusing on the women’s initiative team and diversity
committee. She is a member of Defense Research Institute and the Texas Association of Defense
Counsel. She is also a volunteer with the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program United Way. Matthews
received a bachelor’s degree from The College of Charleston and a law degree from the University of
South Carolina. She replaces David Bernal of Houston.
Recent Appeals from cases in Judge Sylvia Matthew's 281st District Court
[forthcoming]
In re McInnis (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] Jun. 9, 2009)(per curiam denial of mandamus)
MOTION OR WRIT DENIED: Per Curiam
Before Justices Seymore, Brown and Sullivan
14-09-00491-CV In Re Janine Charboneau McInnis, D.V.M
Appeal from 281st District Court of Harris County
On May 28, 2009, relator, Janine Charboneau McInnis, filed a petition for writ of mandamus in this court.
See Tex. Gov't Code Ann. § 22.221 (Vernon 2004); see also Tex. R. App. P. 52. In the petition, relator
complains of discovery and sanctions rulings by the Honorable Sylvia Matthews, presiding judge of the
281st District Court of Harris County. Relator also filed a motion to stay the proceedings in the trial court.
Relator has not established her entitlement to the extraordinary relief of a writ of mandamus.
Accordingly, we deny relator's petition for writ of mandamus and related motion to stay the proceedings
in the trial court.
PER CURIAM
Panel consists of Justices Seymore, Brown, and Sullivan.
Recent Appeals from cases in Judge Bernal's 281st District Court
| Hon. Sylvia A. Matthews Appointed 281st District Court Judge in Harris County, Texas Houston Opinions |
| Houston Courts & Cases Harris County Civil Courts and Judges (Non-family) |
