--- title: "Kimberly L. Fitzpatrick | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kimberly-l-fitzpatrick" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Kimberly L. Fitzpatrick Texas 342nd District Court · District Judge, Tarrant County 342nd Civil District Court ## Profile - Court: Texas 342nd District Court - State: Texas - Role: District Judge, Tarrant County 342nd Civil District Court - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-28 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - The District Judge of the 342nd District Court in Tarrant County, Texas, a position she has held since January 1, 2019, and whose current term runs through December 31, 2028 - Presiding Judge, Texas 342nd Judicial District Court, TX, 2024-present - Presiding Judge, Texas 342nd Judicial District Court, TX, 2019-2020 - Presiding Judge, Texas 342nd Judicial District Court, TX, 2018-2018 - Professional Experience: Former Mayor of Dalworthington Gardens, TX (2016–2018) Managing Attorney, Harris Cook, LLP, Arlington, TX (2009–2016) In‐house counsel for multiple small businesses ### Education - B.A. in Psychology & B.B.A. in International Business — Texas Wesleyan University (2003) J.D. — Texas A&M University School of Law (2009) - International Business Administration & Psychology — Texas Wesleyan University — 2003 ### Additional information - Fitzpatrick was elected in November 2018 and re‐elected in November 2024. - mayor, City of Dalworthington Gardens, Dalworthington Gardens, TX, 2016-2018 - Partner, Harris Cook, L.L.P., Arlington, TX, 2009-2016 - Litigation Paralegal, ?-present - Reduced pending cases and increased the number of cases tried, tripling the court’s trial volume compared to prior years. - Expanded use of technology for remote hearings via Skype, Facebook Live, and other platforms to improve accessibility and reduce costs. - Maintained the 342nd Court’s record as the civil court with the most cases disposed of monthly and the fewest pending cases. - handling contracts, litigation, and regulatory compliance - Professional Roles: President, Arlington Bar Association Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation (less than 1% of Texas attorneys annually) Former “Top Attorney” (Fort Worth Magazine) and “Texas Rising Star” (Texas Monthly) - Fitzpatrick adheres to a strict constructionist approach to constitutional and statutory interpretation, emphasizing transparency, integrity, and accountability in court operations. - Born: Corpus Christi, TX - Birth place: Corpus Christi, TX ## 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/342nd-district-court.html) - [Official roster](https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/civil-courts/district-courts/342nd-district-court.html) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15645/kimberly-lynn-newcomer-fitzpatrick/) - [Tarrant County 342nd Civil District Court official judicial roster](https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/civil-courts/district-courts/342nd-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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15645/kimberly-lynn-newcomer-fitzpatrick/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kimberly-l-fitzpatrick", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kimberly-l-fitzpatrick", "name": "Kimberly L. 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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.