J. Brian Williams

Williams received a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.

Governor Abbott Appoints Williams As Judge Of The 503rd Judicial ...

Governor appoints J. Brian Williams as judge of 503rd Judicial ...

J. Brian is a judge. He is currently the Rockwall County Court at Law Judge. He was appointed as judge of the 503rd Judicial District Court in Rockwall County, effective December 1, 2025. He previously served as an assistant district attorney in Wood County and has experience in private practice.

J. Brian is currently a judge of the 503rd Judicial District Court. He was appointed in 2025. He previously served as a Rockwall County Court at Law Judge.

As an assistant district attorney in Wood County and in private practice, has legal experience in both prosecution and private law.

As of January 22, 2026, J. Brian Williams’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- District judges manage Texas district courts, which are trial courts with general jurisdiction, and have exclusive authority over felony cases. A judge may be presiding over a civil, criminal, juvenile, or special court. They also share jurisdiction with Texas county courts.
- Texas has over 470 district courts, each presided over by a single judge. Some courts cover multiple counties, while others are assigned to single counties based on population size.
- District judges are elected through partisan elections for four-year terms. Candidates must be between 25 and 75 years old, have lived in the district for at least 2 years, and be licensed lawyers with at least 4 years' experience.
- The annual salary for district judges ranges from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service.

Presides over a trial court with general jurisdiction. 

Criminal Justice

Texas

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

District Judge

Walter Ley

Brian is from Rockwall, Texas. He attended The University of Texas at Austin and Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. He has a bachelor's degree in government from The University of Texas at Austin and a juris doctor degree from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.

J. Brian is a judge. He works at the 503rd Judicial District Court in Rockwall County, where he has been since his appointment on December 1, 2025. He previously worked as the Rockwall County Court at Law Judge, served as an assistant district attorney in Wood County, and practiced law in private practice.

Serves as a member and past president of the Rockwall County Bar Association and the Rockwall Rotary Club.

Serves as vice president of the Rockwall County Open Space Alliance and is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Texas County Court at Law Judges Association.