James Horwitz attended the University of Houston for both his undergraduate and graduate education, going on to earn his J. D. there in 1977. He and his wife, Deborah, have two sons.

James Horwitz - Ballotpedia

TLCQ 2018: James Horwitz | Texas Leftist

James Horwitz has a bachelor's degree and a law degree from the University of Houston. He has a wife and two sons. 

James is a judge for Harris County Probate Court No. 4 in Texas. He has been in this position since January 1, 2019. Before taking the bench, he founded the Law Offices of James S. Horwitz, P.C., where he worked as an attorney. 

James is an attorney and founder of his own law offices, the Law Offices of James S. Horwitz, P. C.

James is currently a judge of the Harris County Probate Court No. 4. He was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. He previously ran for this same court in 2014 and for the Houston City Council in 2013 but did not win.

James is currently a judge of the Harris County Probate Court No. 4. He was first elected in 2018 and is serving his second term. He previously ran for this same court in 2014 and for the Houston City Council in 2013 but did not win.

As a probate court judge, administers the wills and estates of deceased persons, appoints guardians to incapacitated adults and minors, commits individuals for involuntary treatment of addiction to drugs or alcohol and mental illness, issues marriage licenses, and oversees certain cases dealing with criminal conduct.

As a legal attorney at Law Offices of James S. Horwitz, P. C., researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, practicing in nearly every type of law.

- As a probate court judge, administers the wills and estates of deceased persons, appoints guardians to incapacitated adults and minors, commits individuals for involuntary treatment of addiction to drugs or alcohol and mental illness, issues marriage licenses, and oversees certain cases dealing with criminal conduct.
- As a legal attorney at Law Offices of James S. Horwitz, P. C., researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, practicing in nearly every type of law.

Legal Experience

Supports more pre-trial mediations in probate court to resolve family disputes and expedite cases.

Supports more pre-trial mediations in probate court to resolve family disputes and shorten cases.

Allows the virtual and hybrid options for specific individuals with court matters.

- Supports more pre-trial mediations in probate court to resolve family disputes and shorten cases.
- Allows the virtual and hybrid options for specific individuals with court matters.

Judicial Administration

Candidate website

Believes judicial decisions should be based on both law and equity, saying, "Adjudication of the black-letter law is only one component of the job. Doing what is right is another."

Believes judicial decisions should be based on both law and equity.

Believes in adjusting to changes or developments in the law to be able to openly and fairly interpret it.

- Believes judicial decisions should be based on both law and equity.
- Believes in adjusting to changes or developments in the law to be able to openly and fairly interpret it.

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 22, 2026, James S. Horwitz’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Wants to expand community outreach by educating the public on wills, estates, trusts, and guardianships.

Believes in expanding community outreach by educating the public on wills, estates, trusts, guardianship, and probate court functions. 

- Believes in expanding community outreach by educating the public on wills, estates, trusts, guardianship, and probate court functions. 

Community Involvement

Facebook

James S. Horwitz

Matthew Tomas

Walter Ley

Lema Mousilli has a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston, a graduate degree from Texas Tech University, and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. She is a single mother.

Lema Mousilli - Ballotpedia

Lema Mousilli — Mousilli Law | Fierce Advocacy, Bold Representation

Lema Mousilli has a bachelor's degree in English and political science from the University of Houston, a graduate degree in business from Texas Tech University, and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. She is a mother.

Lema is the founding attorney of Mousilli Law, where she practices litigation, arbitration, and select transactional work. She has nearly two decades of experience across civil litigation, intellectual property, commercial disputes, and high-stakes trial work. Lema previously served as a felony prosecutor and also has experience in criminal defense, counter-terrorism litigation, family law, immigration law, and personal injury cases. She also teaches Business Law and Constitutional Law as an adjunct professor.

Lema founded Mousilli Law in 2024. She has 22 years of legal experience.

Lema previously ran for judge of the Texas 125th District Court in 2024 but did not win.

Lema previously ran for judge of the Texas 125th District Court in 2024 and for judge of the Texas 189th District Court in 2022, but did not win either race.

As an attorney at Mousilli Law for 15 years, specializes in civil litigation, intellectual property, and commercial disputes.

Experienced in civil litigation, intellectual property, commercial disputes, and "high-stakes" trial work.

As a founding attorney at Mousilli Law, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in litigation, arbitration, and select transactional work.

As a founding attorney at Mousilli Law, she researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in litigation, arbitration, and select transactional work.

Represented clients in state and federal courts.

Teaches business law and constitutional law as an adjunct professor.

Handled cases involving health law, real estate, mass torts, and pharmaceutical and medical device litigation.

- Experienced in civil litigation, intellectual property, commercial disputes, and "high-stakes" trial work.
- As a founding attorney at Mousilli Law, she researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in litigation, arbitration, and select transactional work.
- Represented clients in state and federal courts.
- Teaches business law and constitutional law as an adjunct professor.
- Handled cases involving health law, real estate, mass torts, and pharmaceutical and medical device litigation.

Plans to address the significant case backlog in Harris County Probate Court No. 4 by implementing a disciplined, hands-on approach to docket management, focusing on efficiency, clear scheduling, and prompt rulings, while ensuring fairness and due process.

Plans to address the case backlog in Harris County Probate Court No. 4 by implementing a "disciplined, hands-on approach to docket management, with a focus on efficiency, clear scheduling, and prompt rulings, while never sacrificing fairness and due process."

Supports "reasonable judicial term limits to promote accountability, fresh perspectives, and continued public confidence in our courts."

Supports mandatory retirement for judges at age 75.

- Plans to address the case backlog in Harris County Probate Court No. 4 by implementing a "disciplined, hands-on approach to docket management, with a focus on efficiency, clear scheduling, and prompt rulings, while never sacrificing fairness and due process."
- Supports "reasonable judicial term limits to promote accountability, fresh perspectives, and continued public confidence in our courts."
- Supports mandatory retirement for judges at age 75.

Promises to "protect the interests of families and vulnerable individuals across Harris County."

Claims everyone will be treated with respect in her courtroom.

Statses that no one will be discriminated against in her presence.

Aims to give everyone equal access to justice.

- Promises to "protect the interests of families and vulnerable individuals across Harris County."
- Claims everyone will be treated with respect in her courtroom.
- Statses that no one will be discriminated against in her presence.
- Aims to give everyone equal access to justice.

As of January 22, 2026, Lema May Mousilli’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Lema is a board member of the Arab American Cultural and Community Center

- Lema is a board member of the Arab American Cultural and Community Center

Instagram

LinkedIn

Twitter

Lema May Mousilli

Buket Urgen

- Texas county probate judges handle all cases in probate, including estate administration, wills, guardianships, and incapacitation cases.
- There are a total of 24 probate judges across 12 counties within the state.
- They are paid an annual salary between $158,000 and $193,400.

Harris

This sample ballot may not include all local party roles or measures on the official ballot. The listed candidates serve only within their party, and the propositions do not change the law.

Harris Probate Court Judge, Democratic Primary

Election results

Candidates (2)

Compare candidates

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement