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Star-Telegram, Incumbents win in Tarrant County’s judicial races

John holds a bachelor's degree in government and history from The University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from Baylor University School of Law. He is married to his wife, Brittyn, with whom he has 2 children. Their family are members of First United Methodist Church in downtown Fort Worth.

John currently works as an attorney at The Brender Law Firm. He previously worked as the assistant district attorney in Dallas County and as an associate at the Law Offices of Art Brender. 

John T. Brender ran for Tarrant County District Court Judge in District 485 in 2022, but he did not win. 

Super Lawyers, John T. Brender

Candidate website

As an attorney at The Brender Law Firm, Brender researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients specializing in Criminal Defense and Personal Injury.

As an Assistant District Attorney in Dallas County, prosecuted criminal offenses.

As an Assistant District Attorney in Dallas County for 6 years, Brender prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

- As an attorney at The Brender Law Firm, Brender researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients specializing in Criminal Defense and Personal Injury.
- As an Assistant District Attorney in Dallas County for 6 years, Brender prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

Legal Experience

Plans to address community mental health and child safety.

Said his desire to run for Criminal District Judge is "to rid our Tarrant County streets of violent criminals and drug pushers while taking the time to deal with our community's mental health and safety of our kids."

Aims to create efficiencies that reduce court costs.

Plans create efficiencies that lower court costs.

Promises to be "tough on violent crime and drug dealers."

- Said his desire to run for Criminal District Judge is "to rid our Tarrant County streets of violent criminals and drug pushers while taking the time to deal with our community's mental health and safety of our kids."
- Plans create efficiencies that lower court costs.
- Prioritizes child safety.
- Promises to be "tough on violent crime and drug dealers."

Judicial Administration

Believes fairness is essential to the criminal justice system and supports being tough on crime while upholding the principle of "innocent until proven guilty."

Believes fairness is critical to the criminal justice system and supports being tough on crime while upholding the principle of "innocent until proven guilty."

- Believes fairness is critical to the criminal justice system and supports being tough on crime while upholding the principle of "innocent until proven guilty."

Judicial Philosophy

As of September 7, 2024, John T. Brender’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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John T. Brender

John T. Brender is married to Brittyn Brender, and they have two children who attend their local FWISD elementary school. The family are members of First United Methodist Church in downtown Fort Worth.

John T. Brender served as an Assistant District Attorney in Dallas County for over six years. He is currently an attorney.

As of September 12, 2024, John T. Brender’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Has earned the respect of judges and peers for his "integrity, skill, and hard work."

Believes in upholding community safety and individual rights, supporting fair prosecution and defense, and ensuring all citizens receive constitutional protections.

Encourages residents to become neighborhood captains.

Members of First United Methodist Church in downtown Fort Worth.

- Has original jurisdiction over all felony criminal matters in the district.
- Cases either go to the Court of Appeals or directly to the Court of Criminal Appeals, where their legal reasoning may be reviewed. May hear appeals from county courts when authorized.
- County’s criminal courts administration–which has positions like case managers, magistrate support officers, and bailiffs–reports to each county’s criminal district judge.
- Criminal District Judges are elected through partisan, county-wide elections to four-year terms. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 25 years old, have been a Texas and county resident for at least 24 consecutive months, a practicing lawyer and/or judge in Texas for at least eight years, and registered to vote in that county.
- The salary for Criminal District Judges range from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service and how much they receive as a county supplement.