--- title: "Sherine E. Thomas | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sherine-e-thomas" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-28" --- # Sherine E. Thomas Texas 353rd District Court · District Judge, Travis County 353rd Civil District Court ## Profile - Court: Texas 353rd District Court - State: Texas - Role: District Judge, Travis County 353rd Civil District Court - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-28 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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 ### powerpoint video and electronic exhibits Scope: courtwide Travis County courtrooms support PowerPoint, digitized exhibits, taped depositions, video evidence, document-camera material, and laptop presentations, but counsel must first obtain the judge's permission before routing a laptop presentation to the courtroom displays. Evidence excerpt: YOU MUST FIRST make sure the Judge is ok with you presenting. Then the Judge will have to unlock the video routing source button for you to use it. [Travis County Attorney E-Courtroom Documentation](https://www.traviscountytx.gov/images/courts/Docs/20230203-Attorney_E-Courtroom_Documentation_Final.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-28 ### virtual or hybrid proceedings Scope: courtwide Virtual or hybrid hearings, trials, and witness appearances must be arranged in advance and approved by the court. Evidence excerpt: Any requests for hybrid or virtual options for hearings/trials/witnesses must be pre-arranged and approved by the Court. [Travis County Attorney E-Courtroom Documentation](https://www.traviscountytx.gov/images/courts/Docs/20230203-Attorney_E-Courtroom_Documentation_Final.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-28 ### central docket assignment Scope: courtwide Travis County uses a central civil docket. Unless a case is specially assigned, an available judge may hear a hearing or trial regardless of the district court in which the case was filed. Evidence excerpt: hearings and trials are assigned to available judges without regard to the court in which the case is filed. [Travis County District Courts Local Rules](https://www.traviscountytx.gov/images/courts/Docs/20241120-Amended_LOCAL_RULES_as_of_Nov_15_2024.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-28 ### remote proceedings Scope: courtwide District-court hearings and trials are in person by default. A remote proceeding requires agreement of all parties or a good-cause finding, and arrangements must be made before the proceeding. Evidence excerpt: All hearings and trials (proceedings) will be in person unless (a) all parties agree ... or (b) a judge finds good cause to determine that a remote proceeding is appropriate. [Travis County District Courts Local Rules](https://www.traviscountytx.gov/images/courts/Docs/20241120-Amended_LOCAL_RULES_as_of_Nov_15_2024.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.traviscountytx.gov/courts/civil/district/353) - [Official roster](https://www.traviscountytx.gov/courts/civil/district/353) - [Travis County 353rd Civil District Court official judicial roster](https://www.traviscountytx.gov/courts/civil/district/353) - [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) - [Travis County Attorney E-Courtroom Documentation](https://www.traviscountytx.gov/images/courts/Docs/20230203-Attorney_E-Courtroom_Documentation_Final.pdf) - [Travis County District Courts Local Rules](https://www.traviscountytx.gov/images/courts/Docs/20241120-Amended_LOCAL_RULES_as_of_Nov_15_2024.pdf) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sherine-e-thomas", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sherine-e-thomas", "name": "Sherine E. 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Thomas", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sherine-e-thomas" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - The presiding judge of the 353rd District Court in Austin, Texas, a position she has held since January 1, 2025, following her victory in the November 5, 2024 general election - The first woman and minority to serve as Executive County Attorney for Travis County, Texas - In that role, she oversaw the civil side of the County Attorney’s Office, managing six divisions, supervising over 230 employees, and administering a $23 million budget ### Education - BA, University of Texas at Austin ### Additional information - Her current term runs through December 31, 2028. - Sherine Thomas was born in 1971 and moved from New Delhi, India, to the United States with her family. - The court is located at 1700 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78701. - As judge of the 353rd District Court, Thomas presides over civil and family cases in Travis County. - Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas (Former President) - Austin Habitat for Humanity (Former President) - She litigated and advised on significant cases in areas such as civil rights, employment, elections, environmental protection, and public health. - Her legal career spans more than two decades, with oral arguments before the Supreme Court of Texas, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and other state and federal courts. - She has been recognized with awards including Civil Practitioner of the Year from the Texas District and County Attorney’s Association and the Government Services Award from the Travis County Women Lawyers Association. - Travis County Women’s Lawyer Association (Board Member, Mentorship Committee Co-Chair) - Calvert Inn of Court (Executive Board) - South Asian Bar Association of Austin (Founding Member, Chair) - She has also led high-profile legal work, including defending same-sex marriage license issuance in Texas, opposing SB4 immigration legislation, and securing a $3.5 million environmental settlement for Hamilton Pool. - Sherine Thomas’s combination of legal expertise, leadership, and community commitment has made her a prominent figure in Texas public service and the judicial system. ## 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.