GEORGETOWN — The state district court jurists serving Williamson County have re-elected Betsy Lambeth of the 425th state District Court as their local administrative district judge for a term of two years.
Lambeth, a Republican, has served as local administrative district Judge since 2016.
“I’m honored by the confidence of my peers to continue in this important role,” Lambeth said in a prepared release. “I look forward working alongside a group of judges who work well together and work to make doing justice in Williamson County our shared priority.”
Each county in Texas has a local administrative district judge, elected from among the district judges in the county, officials said.
The role is designed to coordinate the many administrative and nonjudicial responsibilities assigned to the judges.
“Judge Lambeth’s quiet, steady presence in this largely invisible and thankless job has been critical to our success, particularly with our community’s rapid growth,” said 26th state District Court Judge Donna King.
“The title doesn’t come close to capturing the ‘other duties as assigned’ to the LADJ,” added Judge Stacey Mathews of the 277th District Court. “Done well, the local administrative district judge supports our efforts toward a more efficient and accessible system of justice — and Judge Lambeth does it very well.”
According to Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell, Lambeth is perfect for the role.
“Judge Lambeth is an exceptional judge who exemplifies what it means to lead with a servant’s heart. She has a passion for the law and ensuring that justice is upheld in Williamson County. I cannot think of a better person for this role,” Gravell said.
The local administrative district judge is responsible for implementing rules of administration, supervising the movement of caseloads, supervising the employment of nonjudicial personnel and overseeing the budget and fiscal matters of the district courts, county officials said.
In Williamson County, the local administrative district judge is assisted by the director of district court administration.
“Being able to work with Judge Lambeth is a graduate course in leadership,” said Ronald Morgan, director of district court administration. “Whether it is at a meeting over lunch or a phone call at 7 p.m., her bottom line has two parts: What problem are we trying to solve, and what is the most fair and effective way to get there.” According to a release, Lambeth is a fifth-generation Texan. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in Austin and her law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law.
After 27 years as an attorney in private practice, she was elected the first female district judge in Williamson County on Nov. 6, 2012.
The county is served by six district courts: the 26th, 277th, 368th, 395th, 425th and 480th.
The last district court — the 480th — was added in 2022, officials said.
