Bridgette earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Houston and a law degree from Texas Southern University. She serves on the executive board for her local chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Bridgette lives in Ford Bend with her husband, Al, and their 2 children and attends the Friendship Community Bible Church.

Bridgette previously worked as the managing attorney with the Office of General Counsel at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for Regions 5 & 6.

Bridgette Smith-Lawson is the county attorney in Fort Bend County. She was elected in 2020 and is serving her 1st term.

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As Managing Attorney with the Office of General Counsel, Smith-Lawson managed a division of attorneys and legal assistants providing legal services for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in Southeast Texas.

As managing attorney with the Office of General Counsel for Regions 5 & 6 of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, managed a division of attorneys and legal assistants providing legal services in the region.

As county attorney, prosecutes civil and criminal actions under state law and presents cases before grand juries.

- As managing attorney with the Office of General Counsel for Regions 5 & 6 of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, managed a division of attorneys and legal assistants providing legal services in the region.
- As county attorney, prosecutes civil and criminal actions under state law and presents cases before grand juries.

Legal Experience

Supports including Adult Protective Services representation by the County Attorney's Office and working with local District Attorney's Office to establish a division focused on crimes against the elderly and disabled adults.

Wants to establish a division to prosecute crimes against elders and disabled adults.

- Wants to establish a division to prosecute crimes against elders and disabled adults.

Criminal Justice

Plans to provide human resources legal guidance that promotes inclusion and diversity in hiring and performance evaluations.

Wants the county attorney's office to give local agencies legal guidance, including HR guidance to promote inclusive hiring.

Wants to ensure the County Attorney's office supports the Drainage District in meeting federal requirements and audits for FEMA funding and flood insurance.

Wants to assist the drainage district in complying with federal requirements.

Supports fair, ethical, and transparent open bidding practices for county contracts, including equal opportunities for historically under-utilized businesses (minority-owned businesses).

Supports giving legal guidance on contract bidding to ensure that bidding practices are open and fair.

Supports legal training for the Sheriff's Office on crisis intervention and mental health warrants, and advocates for implementing a transparent review board for incidents of racial profiling and discrimination, ensuring accountability for discriminatory actions.

Wants to offer the sheriff's office training and establish a board to review incidents of racial profiling and discrimination.

Wants to work with local tax offices to improve transparency and public information.

- Wants the county attorney's office to give local agencies legal guidance, including HR guidance to promote inclusive hiring.
- Wants to assist the drainage district in complying with federal requirements.
- Supports giving legal guidance on contract bidding to ensure that bidding practices are open and fair.
- Wants to offer the sheriff's office training and establish a board to review incidents of racial profiling and discrimination.
- Wants to work with local tax offices to improve transparency and public information.

Administration

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Bridgette Smith-Lawson

Bridgette holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Houston and a law degree from Texas Southern University. She serves on the executive board for her local chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Bridgette lives in Ford Bend with her husband, Al, and their 2 children and attends the Friendship Community Bible Church.

Bridgette Smith-Lawson currently serves as the Fort Bend County Attorney. She was elected in 2020 and is serving her 1st term.

- As managing attorney with the Office of General Counsel for Regions 5 & 6 of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, managed a division of attorneys and legal assistants providing legal services in the region.

Bridgette Smith-Lawson graduated from the University of Houston with a major in Political Science and a minor in English. She has been married for 23 years and has two daughters, ages 17 and 14. She is involved with the Friendship Community Bible Church.

Bridgette Smith-Lawson is the Fort Bend County Attorney, elected in November 2020. Prior to her election, she was the Managing Attorney with the Office of General Counsel at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for Regions 5 & 6.

Bridgette Smith-Lawson was elected Fort Bend County Attorney in November 2020. Prior to her election, she served as the Managing Attorney with the Office of General Counsel – Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Regions 5 & 6.

Presented at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law's continuing legal education (CLE) program for Ad Litem attorneys in February 2012.

Assists in coordinating child-centered programs and ministry themes since 2014.

Served as a panel member for a discussion on public interest law at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in February 2012.

Has 20 years of experience as a licensed attorney.

Admitted to the State Bar of Texas in November 2003.

Earned a Juris Doctorate from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in 2003.

Admitted to the United States District Court, Southern District of Texas in May 2004.

Served as a defense counsel for the Texas Board of Pardon and Paroles.

Believes in community engagement and education on criminal justice issues.

Presented on "Adult Protective Services" at a continuing legal education event for the Houston Bar Association in February 2013.

Believes in engaging with international students to share knowledge and practices in criminal justice.

Attended the NACC Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in August 2013.

Completed training on child abuse and neglect.

As a co-presenter, supported mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect.

Participated in trial skills training for children as part of the Texas Supreme Court Commission on Children.

Served as a panel member for the 5th Annual Adjusting the Bar: The Definitive Ad Litem Seminar in DFPS Cases in April 2015.

Supports attending conferences to stay updated on criminal justice issues, such as the TDCAA Crimes Against Children Conference.

Believes in addressing child supervision issues to prevent juvenile delinquency.

Presented at the Earl Carl Institute’s 5th Annual Child Welfare Forensics Conference on criminal justice topics in April 2018.

Plans to ensure Child Protective Services balances child safety with family and parental rights.

- A county attorney handles misdemeanor criminal cases for the state and offers legal counsel to the Commissioners Court and other elected officials.
Brings civil enforcement actions on behalf of the state or county.
- A county attorney represents victims of family violence in protective orders, handles child abuse and neglect cases for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and represents the state in mental health commitment petitions.
- County attorneys are elected to four-year terms by the voters of their county.
Works with law enforcement officers in the investigation of criminal cases.
- Annual salaries of county attorneys vary but range between $64,800 and $118,700 depending on the size of the county. 

Fort Bend County Attorney

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