--- title: "Elizabeth Byer Leonard | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/elizabeth-byer-leonard" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Elizabeth Byer Leonard Texas 238th District Court · District Judge ## Profile - Court: Texas 238th District Court - State: Texas - Role: District Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-25 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Presiding Judge, Texas 238th Judicial District Court, Midland, TX, 2019-2022 - Presiding Judge, Texas 238th Judicial District Court, Midland, TX, 2015-2018 - Presiding Judge, Texas 238th Judicial District Court, Midland, TX, 2013-2014 - Presiding Judge, Texas 238th Judicial District Court, Midland, TX, 2012-2012 - In 2012, Judge Leonard was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to serve as the District Judge of the 238th District Court after the passing of Judge John G. Hyde. - Assistant District Attorney, 2004-2012 - Before her judicial career, she worked as a prosecutor for over ten years in Ector and Midland counties and held the role of an oil and gas attorney at JTD Resources, LLC. ### Education - South Texas College — J.D. (1994) - Business Administration - Finance — Baylor University — 1987 ### Additional information - In 2019, she initiated a jail-based restoration of competency program at the Midland County Jail. - She has received several accolades, including the "Women of Distinction" Award from the Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest in 2015 and the "Tribute to Women" Award from the Texas Federation of Republican Women in 2018. - She was re-elected without opposition in 2014, demonstrating strong community support. - She later earned her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law in 1994. - Attorney/Landman, JTD Resources, ?-present - Judge Elizabeth Byer Leonard's career reflects a dedication to both the legal profession and her community, particularly in the area of mental health advocacy. - She graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. - Since taking the bench, she has been instrumental in establishing a mental health court aimed at diverting mentally ill individuals from jail and assisting them in maintaining healthy lifestyles. - Additionally, she is involved in various philanthropic and community service organizations, reflecting her commitment to public service and community engagement. - Her contributions have made a significant impact on the judicial system in Midland County, Texas. - Actively involved in various community organizations, including the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health, the Midland County Republican Women Board, and the Midland Behavioral Health Leadership Team. - Judge Elizabeth Byer Leonard was born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Columbia, Missouri. - She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Midland County Bar Association, and the Permian Basin Landmen's Association. - Birth place: Houston, TX ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### civil remote appearances Scope: statewide In civil district and county court proceedings, the court may permit or require electronic participation after appropriate notice; compelled electronic participation for oral-testimony proceedings requires good cause or party agreement, and a jury trial requires party agreement. Evidence excerpt: Upon appropriate notice by a party or the court, a court may allow or require a participant to appear at a court proceeding by videoconference, teleconference, or other available electronic means, except as otherwise provided in (2). [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### civil recording and broadcasting Scope: statewide Civil district and county trial courts may permit courtroom recording or broadcasting only under Supreme Court guidelines, with the required party and witness consent, or for ceremonial proceedings. Evidence excerpt: A trial court may permit broadcasting, televising, recording, or photographing of proceedings in the courtroom only in the following circumstances: [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://card.txcourts.gov/directorysearch.aspx) - [Official roster](https://card.txcourts.gov/directorysearch.aspx) - [Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster](https://card.txcourts.gov/directorysearch.aspx) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15801/elizabeth-byer-leonard/) - [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf) - [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15801/elizabeth-byer-leonard/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/elizabeth-byer-leonard", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/elizabeth-byer-leonard", "name": "Elizabeth Byer Leonard | KnowJudges", "description": "Elizabeth Byer Leonard, Texas 238th District Court. 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Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26. - [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-a5f587f769df9f3231ef4f9a) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.