---
title: "Sonia Christina Lopez | KnowJudges"
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# Sonia Christina Lopez

Texas County Civil Court at Law No. 1 · Judge, Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 1

## Profile

- Court: Texas County Civil Court at Law No. 1
- State: Texas
- Role: Judge, Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 1
- 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

### trial exhibits and demonstratives

Scope: courtroom specific

Before the pretrial conference, Court 1 requires parties to exchange anticipated demonstrative exhibits and requires pretrial documents to be e-filed with courtesy copies delivered by the preceding Wednesday.

Evidence excerpt: copies of anticipated demonstrative exhibits with all parties ... Pretrial documents must be efiled, and courtesy copies delivered to the Clerk, by Wednesday prior to the pre-trial conference.

[Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 1 Policies and Procedures](https://www.ccl.hctx.net/civil/1/files/Civil%201%20Court%20Procedures.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.ccl.hctx.net/civil/1/default.htm)
- [Official roster](https://www.ccl.hctx.net/civil/1/default.htm)
- [Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 1 official judicial roster](https://www.ccl.hctx.net/civil/1/default.htm)
- [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)
- [Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 1 Policies and Procedures](https://www.ccl.hctx.net/civil/1/files/Civil%201%20Court%20Procedures.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- In summary: Sonia Christina Lopez is a seasoned legal professional and community leader now serving as a civil court judge in Harris County, Texas, with a background in public service, labor law, and community outreach, and is currently seeking public support for her 2026 judicial re‐election
- The presiding judge of Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 1 in Texas, appointed in December 2025 to fill a vacancy, and is running for re‐election in the November 2026 general election
- Appointed by Harris County commissioners on December 11, 2025 to fill a vacancy while presiding judge Audrie Lawton‐Evans ran for Harris County attorney in the 2026 Democratic primary
- Was Chief of Staff and District Director to State Representative Ana Hernandez
- Lifelong Harris County resident and graduate of South Texas College of Law, the University of Texas at Austin, and Houston’s High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice

### Education


### Additional information

- Also a Democratic Party candidate for the November 3, 2026 general election for this judicial seat, having advanced from the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary.
- handling civil cases such as evictions, property disputes, personal injury claims, contract disputes, and small business matters.
- The court’s jurisdiction is under Texas law, and proceedings may include remote appearances and, in certain cases, recording or broadcasting under state rules.
- She has also been active in community service, including over a decade as a volunteer Project Administrator for the National Hispanic Institute’s youth leadership program.
- Judge Lopez is married to Emmanuel Gonzalez and has a daughter.

