Lauren Melhart at a glance
- Current role
- District Associate Judge
- Court
- 360th District Court
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Lauren Melhart
District Associate Judge · 360th District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Lauren Melhart practices law in Fort Worth, Texas, and serves as an Associate Judge for the 360th District Court
Education
- She also obtained a B.S. in Political Science, magna cum laude, and a B.B.A. in Accounting & Finance, magna cum laude, both from Texas Christian University in 2002.
- Juris Doctor (JD) from Baylor University School of Law, graduating first in her class.
Additional information
- She is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a designation she earned in 2014, reflecting her expertise and commitment to the field.
- Judge Melhart has been praised for her professionalism, intelligence, and preparation in highly contested cases, particularly in child custody and support matters.
- Judge Lauren Melhart combines judicial service, extensive litigation experience, board certification in family law, and a strong commitment to legal education.
- She also held the role of a felony prosecutor in East Texas, achieving a 100 percent success rate in jury trials and affirmance on all appeals.
- Her record as a prosecutor and attorney demonstrates a consistent commitment to excellence, with notable achievements in jury trials and appellate success.
- Beyond her judicial duties, she actively participates in mentorship programs, including the AAML Institute for Family Law Associates, where she shares insights on divorce, trusts, estate planning, and agreements affecting divorce.
- Her legal career includes several years as a Child Protective Services (CPS) prosecutor, where she earned recognition for excellence in serving children from Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Trinity Valley.
- Her academic achievements laid a strong foundation for her career in law and family law specialization.
- Her involvement in legal education highlights her dedication to fostering professional growth within the family law community.
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
360th 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
360th 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 27, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 10, 2026.
Texas Office of Court Administration, active Judicial Directory official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 2026
View Texas Office of Court Administration, active Judicial Directory 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 ↗360th District Court official directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 11, 2026
View 360th District Court official directory ↗