--- title: "Todd Lee Kassaw | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/todd-lee-kassaw" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Todd Lee Kassaw Texas 159th District Court · District Judge ## Profile - Court: Texas 159th 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. ## 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) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/todd-lee-kassaw", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/todd-lee-kassaw", "name": "Todd Lee Kassaw | KnowJudges", "description": "Todd Lee Kassaw, Texas 159th District Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-07-26", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/todd-lee-kassaw#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/todd-lee-kassaw#judge", "name": "Todd Lee Kassaw", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/todd-lee-kassaw", "jobTitle": "District Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Texas 159th District Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://card.txcourts.gov/directorysearch.aspx" ] }, { "@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": "Todd Lee Kassaw", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/todd-lee-kassaw" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - In summary: Judge Kassaw is an experienced Texas attorney turned judge, serving on the 159th District Court bench since 2022, with a strong background in personal injury law and active involvement in local legal and civic organizations - Legal Career: Attorney at Skelton Slusher Barnhill Watkins Wells, PLLC (2014–present) 23 years at Zeleskey Law Firm, PLLC (1990–2013), later a partner Board certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (1996) - Todd L. Kassaw is the District Judge for the 159th District Court in Angelina County, Texas, elected in 2022, with a background in personal injury law and extensive legal practice before joining the bench. ### Education - B.S. in Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University (1987) J.D., South Texas College of Law, Houston (1990) ### Additional information - Elected: 2022, unopposed - “Butch” McMullen, Jr. Silver Spike Award (2004) - Appeals: Cases from this court go to the Twelfth Court of Appeals. - Professional Memberships: American Board of Trial Advocates, State Bar of Texas, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, Angelina County Bar Association, Texas Bar Foundation (Fellow) - Awards: Jack C. - Born in Dallas, TX; enjoys fishing, baseball, and spending time with family. ## 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.