---
title: "Linda Marie Dunson | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/linda-marie-dunson"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Linda Marie Dunson

Texas 309th District Court · District Judge

## Profile

- Court: Texas 309th District Court
- State: Texas
- Role: District Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-25

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- The Presiding Judge of the 309th Family District Court in Houston, Texas, serving since January 1, 2019, with her current term ending December 31, 2026.
- Presiding Judge, Texas 309th Judicial District Court, TX, 2019-2022
- Psychology, Sociology, Dean's List — University of Houston — 2001
- Chief Operating Office & General Counsel, Global Ports Solutions, LLC, ?-present

### Education

- in Taxation — University of Houston Dedman School of Law — LL.M. (2009)
- Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law — J.D. (2002)
- Texas Southern University — J.D. (2001)
- University of Houston, Psychology & Sociology — B.A. (1997)

### Additional information

- Owner, Practitioner, Law Offices of Linda M. Dunson, Houston, TX, 2010-present
- Democratic Party candidate seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election.
- She advanced from the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026, with 100% of the party’s votes.
- Contract Attorney, Donovan Watkins, Houston, TX, 2010-2013
- Director of Legal Programs, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Houston, TX, 2008-2010
- Owner, Practitioner, Law Offices of Linda M. Dunson, Houston, TX, 2003-2008
- Judicial Extern to Hon. Nancy Johnson, 2000-2000
- Practitioner, Law Office of Alvin O. Chambliss, ?-present
- Began as a solo family law practitioner; subsequently became President of the Houston Lawyers Association.
- Recognized as President of the Year by the National Bar Association.
- Co-authored 100 Successful Lawyers with Evangeline Mitchell.
- Serves on multiple community boards, including Youth Outdoor Unity and Family Roots for Life.
- Also the head of one of only six Trauma-Informed Pilot Courts in Texas, working to reduce disparities in the child protective services system.
- Active in professional organizations including the National Association of Counsels for Children, Association of Women Judges, and National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.
- Her campaign focuses on fairness, compassion, and strengthening families in Harris County.
- Judge Dunson leads the 309th Family District Court, which handles cases such as divorce, child custody, spousal and child support, adoption, and family safety orders.
- Licensed U.S. Customs Broker
- Birth place: Huntsville, 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

### 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://card.txcourts.gov/directorysearch.aspx)
- [Official roster](https://card.txcourts.gov/directorysearch.aspx)
- [Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster](https://card.txcourts.gov/directorysearch.aspx)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15608/linda-marie-dunson/)
- [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)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15608/linda-marie-dunson/)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/linda-marie-dunson",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/linda-marie-dunson",
      "name": "Linda Marie Dunson | KnowJudges",
      "description": "Linda Marie Dunson, Texas 309th District Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.",
      "dateModified": "2026-08-02",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/linda-marie-dunson#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/linda-marie-dunson#judge",
      "name": "Linda Marie Dunson",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/linda-marie-dunson",
      "jobTitle": "District Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "Texas 309th District Court"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://card.txcourts.gov/directorysearch.aspx",
        "https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15608/linda-marie-dunson/"
      ],
      "birthPlace": "Huntsville, TX",
      "alumniOf": [
        {
          "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
          "name": "University of Houston"
        },
        {
          "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
          "name": "Texas Southern University"
        },
        {
          "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
          "name": "University of Houston"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "KnowJudges",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Texas",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/texas"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Linda Marie Dunson",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/linda-marie-dunson"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```


## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-119ce7e69a3752f1da3cfce0) — 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](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.
- [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-a5f587f769df9f3231ef4f9a) — 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](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.
