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title: "Jim F. Kovach | KnowJudges"
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# Jim F. Kovach

Texas County Civil Court at Law No. 2 · Judge, Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 2

## Profile

- Court: Texas County Civil Court at Law No. 2
- State: Texas
- Role: Judge, Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 2
- 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 demonstratives

Scope: courtroom specific

Court 2 requires trial exhibits to be exchanged, numbered, pre-marked, redacted as necessary, and supplied in tabbed binders for the judge, reporter, and opposing counsel.

Evidence excerpt: Exhibit List and pre-marked Exhibits with numbers ... Please bring a copy of the exhibits, tabbed in a three-ring binder, for the Judge, Court Reporter, and opposing counsel.

[Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 2 Policies and Procedures](https://www.ccl.hctx.net/civil/2/documents/Civil%20Court%202%20Policies%20and%20Procedures.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.ccl.hctx.net/civil/2/default.htm)
- [Official roster](https://www.ccl.hctx.net/civil/2/default.htm)
- [Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 2 official judicial roster](https://www.ccl.hctx.net/civil/2/default.htm)
- [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)
- [Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 2 Policies and Procedures](https://www.ccl.hctx.net/civil/2/documents/Civil%20Court%202%20Policies%20and%20Procedures.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- The Presiding Judge of Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 2 in Texas, a position he has held since 2019 and whose current term runs through December 31, 2026

### Education

- Jim Kovach obtained a B.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Texas in 1986 and a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 1991.

### Additional information

- The general election for the seat is scheduled for November 3, 2026, with Williams and Mark Montgomery as the candidates.
- However, in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary, he lost to Ebony Williams, who won 66.3% of the vote.
- Kovach was elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.
- Before his judicial role, he was the owner of McElavney & Kovach, LLP from 1994, and practiced law for over 34 years, including 26 years in Harris County.
- Born in Ohio and raised in Northwest Indiana, Kovach moved to Kingwood, Texas, in 1982, graduating from Kingwood High School in 1983.
- Licensed by the State Bar of Texas and in the Federal Courts for the Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas, as well as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
- He has handled more than 10,000 cases and has experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants, which he says gives him a balanced, impartial approach.
- Kovach has been active in healthcare advocacy, serving as Board Chair of the Montrose Clinic and later Board Chair of Legacy Community Health, helping to build and expand clinics in Houston and surrounding areas.
- He is also involved in the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program and various bar associations.
- He lives near Memorial Park in Rice Military with his husband, Ben Montalbano, and their dog, Roxie.
- He is an avid sports fan (Houston Texans, Rockets, Astros) and participates in community activities such as softball and marathons.

