---
title: "Hartson Dustin Fillmore | KnowJudges"
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page_type: "judge_profile"
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---

# Hartson Dustin Fillmore

Texas 236th District Court · District Judge, Tarrant County 236th Civil District Court

## Profile

- Court: Texas 236th District Court
- State: Texas
- Role: District Judge, Tarrant County 236th Civil District Court
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-28

## 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

### trial exhibits and video

Scope: courtwide

Before trial, parties must mark and exchange exhibits; films and videotaped depositions generally must be disclosed early enough for objections to be heard before trial.

Evidence excerpt: Prior to commencement of trial all exhibits will be marked, exchanged and examined by counsel so that the trial will not be delayed by such examination.

[Local Rules of the Civil Courts of Tarrant County](https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/content/dam/main/county-clerk/Civil_Rules.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-28

### 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://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/civil-courts/district-courts/236th-district-court.html)
- [Official roster](https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/civil-courts/district-courts/236th-district-court.html)
- [Tarrant County 236th Civil District Court official judicial roster](https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/civil-courts/district-courts/236th-district-court.html)
- [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)
- [Local Rules of the Civil Courts of Tarrant County](https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/content/dam/main/county-clerk/Civil_Rules.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Hartson Dustin “Dusty” Fillmore III is the District Judge for Tarrant County’s 236th Civil District Court, appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in January 2026 for a temporary term ending December 31, 2026
- Fort Worth attorney and partner at The Fillmore Law Firm, L.L.P

### Education

- St. Mary’s University School of Law — J.D.

### Additional information

- Appointment: Made by Governor Greg Abbott on January 15, 2026; term is temporary until the end of 2026
- He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Federalist Society, Federal Bar Association, and Tarrant County Bar Association.
- He also participates in AVENEW ministry at Christ Chapel Bible Church.



## 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.
