---
title: "Gordon Friesz | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gordon-friesz"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Gordon Friesz

Texas 317th District Court · District Judge

## Profile

- Court: Texas 317th 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.

## 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)
- [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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Gordon Friesz is the incumbent Republican judge of Jefferson County’s 317th District Court, serving since January 1, 2023, and re‐elected in 2022 for a term ending December 31, 2026
- Legal Practice: Since 2004, has practiced family law in Jefferson County

### Education

- Graduated from Nederland High School and Lamar University; earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in 2003.

### Additional information

- The sole candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for the 317th District Court seat.
- Republican and was elected in 2022 to replace retiring Judge Larry Thorne.
- Honors: Elected Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation in 2021, an award given to less than 1% of Texas attorneys for professionalism and service.
- handling hundreds of divorce, custody, and adoption cases, and serving as a mediator for other attorneys.
- Community Involvement: Active in pro bono work, National Adoption Day, CASA of Southeast Texas, United Way, and local youth organizations.
- The court is located in Beaumont, TX, and is coordinated by Maritza Barrera, with James Martin as bailiff and Shelly Stephenson as court reporter.
- Professional Service: Former partner at Wells, Peyton & Partain, LLP; past director, treasurer, and vice president of the Jefferson County Bar Association; chaired the Family Law Section.
- Judge Friesz presides over the 317th Civil District Court in Jefferson County, Texas, which handles family law cases such as divorce, custody, conservatorship, adoption, and related matters.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-119ce7e69a3752f1da3cfce0) — 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.
- [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.
