--- title: "Germaine J. Tanner | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/germaine-j-tanner" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Germaine J. Tanner Texas 311th District Court · District Judge ## Profile - Court: Texas 311th 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 - Germaine J. Tanner is the Presiding Judge of the 311th District Court’s Family Division in Harris County, Texas, serving since January 1, 2019, and re‐elected in 2022 for a term ending in 2026. - Presiding Judge, Texas 311th Judicial District Court, Houston, TX, 2019-2022 - Judge Tanner’s career in family law began in 2003, when she opened her own law firm focusing on divorce, child custody, child support, post‐divorce modifications, appeals, and mediation. - Internships during law school with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, the Texas Attorney General’s Office, and Judge Frank P. Pierce’s IV‐D Court No. 2 ### Education - Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law — J.D. (2001) - B.A. in Political Science — University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana ### Additional information - She has handled over 500 family law cases since being licensed in November 2003. - In 2024, Judge Tanner received the Living Legend Award from the Blue Triangle Multi‐Cultural Association for her professional and community contributions, with recognition from Houston City Council members, Texas State Representatives, and a Texas Senator. - She was re‐elected on November 8, 2022. - Elected in the 2018 midterm elections, she was sworn in January 1, 2019. - Hearing Examiner, Texas Education Agency, TX, 2016-2018 - Practitioner, Law Office of Germaine Tanner, Houston, TX, 2003-2018 - As judge, she has presided over family cases, provided free “Brown Bag” continuing legal education seminars for attorneys, and given numerous presentations on family law. - Judge Tanner’s stated mission for the 311th Family District Court is to interpret and apply the law consistently and impartially, use discretion wisely, and earn public trust through fairness, equality, and respect. - She is a single mother of one daughter and enjoys cooking, gardening, and community service. ## 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/15967/germaine-j-tanner/) - [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/15967/germaine-j-tanner/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/germaine-j-tanner", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/germaine-j-tanner", "name": "Germaine J. 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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.