--- title: "Surendran K. Pattel | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/surendran-k-pattel" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-28" --- # Surendran K. Pattel Texas 240th District Court · District Judge, Fort Bend County 240th District Court (general jurisdiction, mixed civil and criminal docket) ## Profile - Court: Texas 240th District Court - State: Texas - Role: District Judge, Fort Bend County 240th District Court (general jurisdiction, mixed civil and criminal docket) - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-28 ## Summary Official judge-specific and circuitwide procedural guidance has been located for this profile. ## 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 trial exhibits and video depositions Scope: judge specific The 240th District Court requires motions in limine, exhibit lists, actual exhibits, witness lists, and deposition excerpts to be exchanged 14 days before trial. Counsel using blowups must mark an 8-by-11 exhibit, and video deposition excerpts must be prepared for rapid editing of excluded portions. Evidence excerpt: The Court requires the parties to exchange motions in limine, exhibit lists, actual exhibits, party/attorney lists, witness lists, and deposition excerpts 14 days before the trial date. [240th District Court Local Rules and Court Procedures](https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/sites/default/files/document-central/document-central/district-court-240th-documents/240th-Local-Rules-and-Court-Procedures_1.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-28 ### recording and broadcasting Scope: courtwide Fort Bend County District Courts prohibit photographs, video or audio recording, live streaming, and broadcasting without express permission from the court. A person seeking coverage must file a request with the clerk. Evidence excerpt: No photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, live streaming, tweeting, or broadcasting of any nature is allowed of any proceeding in a District Court without express permission from the Court. [Local Rules of the District Courts of Fort Bend County, Texas](https://fbctxdocs.fortbendcountytx.gov/District-Court-268/Local%20Rules%20for%20District%20Courts.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.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/district-courts/240th-district-court) - [Official roster](https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/district-courts/240th-district-court) - [Fort Bend County 240th District Court official judicial roster](https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/district-courts/240th-district-court) - [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) - [Local Rules of the District Courts of Fort Bend County, Texas](https://fbctxdocs.fortbendcountytx.gov/District-Court-268/Local%20Rules%20for%20District%20Courts.pdf) - [240th District Court Local Rules and Court Procedures](https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/sites/default/files/document-central/document-central/district-court-240th-documents/240th-Local-Rules-and-Court-Procedures_1.pdf) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/surendran-k-pattel", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/surendran-k-pattel", "name": "Surendran K. 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Pattel", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/surendran-k-pattel" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - The incumbent judge of the 240th District Court in Fort Bend County, Texas, elected in 2022 and serving since January 1, 2023 - In 2025, he was named a Sustaining Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, one of the most prestigious honors for Texas attorneys, recognizing outstanding professional service and dedication to justice - Pattel became the first Indian-American district court judge in Fort Bend County ### Education - International Law, University of Houston Law Center — LL.M. ### Additional information - Elected in 2022 for a four-year term, Pattel is seeking re-election in 2026. - In 2007, his wife’s opportunity to work in a U.S. medical center led the family to move to Houston, Texas. - He began practicing law in Hosdurg taluk in 1996 and later in Delhi, India, and argued cases before the High Court and Supreme Court of India. - He dropped out of school early, held a position as a beedi (cigarette) roller, and later earned his law degree from the University of Calicut in 1995. - Born May 29, 1971 in Kasargod, Kerala, India, Pattel is the fourth of four children in a poor family. - Email: 240dc@ - Judge Pattel’s journey from Kerala’s rural poverty to a U.S. judicial bench is widely cited as a notable example of resilience and legal excellence. - His campaign highlights his decades of legal experience in both India and Texas, his commitment to equal justice, and his record of impartial decision-making. - He presides over felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, divorce and family law matters, and juvenile cases in the 240th District Court, which is based in Richmond, TX. - His judicial philosophy emphasizes fairness, impartiality, and adherence to the law without political influence. - Passed the Texas Bar examination ## 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.