Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Richard “Rick” Bell as Judge of the 501st Judicial District Court in Fort Bend County. The appointment is effective December 1, 2025, and will last until December 31, 2026, or until a successor is elected and qualified.
Bell currently serves as associate district judge in the 387th District Court. He is involved with several legal organizations, including serving as a member and past president of the Fort Bend County Bar Association, member of the Family Bar of Fort Bend, American Inns of Court, and the State Bar of Texas and its family law section. Bell also has experience in community service as a past president and board member of the Exchange Club of Sugar Land and is affiliated with Bridge Fellowship Church.
Bell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Southwestern University and earned his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law Houston.
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