--- title: "John Donovan | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-donovan-8319" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # John Donovan Court of Appeals of Texas · Judge ## Profile - Court: Court of Appeals of Texas - State: Texas - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Court of Appeals of Texas, 2012-present - As of 2026, John Donovan is running for judge of the Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 4 as a Republican - Later, he served as a judge for Place 8 of the Texas Fourteenth District Court of Appeals, leaving office on December 31, 2018 - Then elected as Judge of the 113th District Court in Harris County, beginning his term in January 2011 ### Education - J.D. cum laude from South Texas College of Law and was licensed by the State Bar of Texas in 1985. - South Texas College of Law, graduating cum laude — J.D. ### Additional information - He has volunteered in the Houston Public School System since 1997. - He advanced from the Republican primary on March 3, 2026, and will face incumbent Manpreet Singh in the general election on November 3, 2026. - Donovan has been recognized multiple times, including being named Judge of the Year by the Houston Police Officers’ Union in 2000 and by P.O.L.I.C.E., Inc., in 1998 and 2008. - He held the role of Judge of the 61st District Court from January 1997 through December 2008, where he chaired the Special Dockets Committee and the Rules Committee for the Board of Civil Judges. - He also served on the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee for the Houston Subcommittee of the State Bar of Texas from 1989 to 1990. - John Donovan has a long-standing judicial career in Texas. - Before his judicial appointments, he practiced law with firms such as Archer and Associates, Urquhart and Hassell, and Williams & Associates - Additionally, he is affiliated with professional organizations such as the Houston Bar Foundation, Houston Young Lawyer’s Foundation, and the Houston Bar Association’s Continuing Legal Education Committee. - representing both individual and corporate clients. - Donovan is also involved in mediation and arbitration services through the Houston Mediation Center, offering facilities for mediation, arbitration, and continuing legal education in Bellaire, Texas. - He is a member of the Association of Attorney-Mediators, contributing to a network of professionals who have collectively mediated over 300,000 cases. - John Donovan’s career reflects extensive judicial experience, legal expertise, and active community engagement, making him a prominent figure in Harris County’s legal and civic landscape. - Beyond his judicial duties, Donovan is active in the community. - He serves as a Lector at St. Vincent de Paul Church, coaches local youth athletic teams, and is a trustee for the West University Elementary School Foundation. ## 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 ### oral argument purpose Scope: courtwide Use oral argument to emphasize and clarify the briefs, not merely read prepared text; assume the panel has read the briefs, be ready for questions, and stay within the record. Evidence excerpt: Oral argument should emphasize and clarify the written arguments in the briefs. Counsel should not merely read from prepared text. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument time Scope: courtwide The court sets argument time. Finish within the allotment unless the court permits continuation; the appellant must be allowed to conclude. Evidence excerpt: Counsel must complete argument in the time allotted and may continue after the expiration of the allotted time only with permission of the court. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### number of arguing counsel Scope: courtwide Generally one lawyer should argue for each side. Without leave, no more than two may argue per side, and only one may present rebuttal. Evidence excerpt: Generally, only one counsel should argue for each side. Except on leave of court, no more than two counsel on each side may argue. Only one counsel may argue in rebuttal. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument request Scope: courtwide Request oral argument on the front cover of the brief. If argument is set, all parties that filed briefs may participate even if they did not request it. Evidence excerpt: A party desiring oral argument must note that request on the front cover of the party’s brief. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument notice Scope: courtwide The clerk's notice states whether argument is allowed, the date, allotted time, location or electronic-joining instructions, exhibit instructions, and panel members. Evidence excerpt: The clerk must send to the parties—at least 21 days before the date the case is set for argument or submission without argument—a notice telling the parties: [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8319/john-donovan/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8319/john-donovan/) - [Court of Appeals of Texas current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8319/john-donovan/) - [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8319/john-donovan/) - [Judge John Donovan | about.me](https://about.me/JudgeJohnDonovan) - [John Donovan - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_Donovan) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-donovan-8319", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-donovan-8319", "name": "John Donovan | KnowJudges", "description": "John Donovan, Court of Appeals of Texas. 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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/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.