Kristi Skillern at a glance
- Current role
- District Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Kristi Skillern
District Judge · Texas 217th District Court
Biography
Professional career
- The newly appointed District Judge for the 217th Judicial District Court in Angelina County, Texas, serving a term through December 31, 2026
- Assistant District Attorney in Hidalgo County, securing felony convictions for violent and child-related offenses
- She has also held the role of defense counsel for Stradley & Wright and Smith & Knott PC
- As judge, she will oversee cases in Angelina County, with a stated commitment to upholding the Constitution, ensuring accountability for offenders, and treating all parties with dignity
- In summary: Kristi Skillern is a veteran attorney and public servant now serving as Angelina County’s District Judge, bringing decades of courtroom experience, municipal leadership, and a conservative, constitutional-focused judicial vision
Education
- Kristi Skillern is a Baylor University graduate (B.A. in English) and St. Mary’s University School of Law alumnus.
Additional information
- City Attorney for Lufkin since 2022
- Governor Greg Abbott appointed Skillern on July 13, 2026, to replace retiring Judge Robert Inselmann.
- Began her tenure after winning the Republican primary runoff in May 2026 against Stephen Walker.
- She has been appointed to the American Bar Association’s 2026 Commission on Youth and Family Justice, reflecting her focus on children and families.
- overseeing municipal court, advising the City Council, and launching a Teen Court program.
- In-house trial counsel for State Farm Insurance for over 14 years, managing complex litigation.
- Fidelity to the Constitution
- Skillern is a member of the State Bar of Texas, American Bar Association, Houston and Dallas Bar Associations, Texas District & County Attorney’s Association, and Texas Municipal League.
- She is also active in Rotary International and volunteer work with the Salvation Army and First Baptist Church of Lufkin.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
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.
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 ↗
Recording and broadcasting
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.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Texas 217th District Court
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Texas 217th District Court
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 25, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 10, 2026.
Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 25, 2026
View Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster ↗Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings ↗Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings ↗Texas 217th District Court official directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 11, 2026
View Texas 217th District Court official directory ↗