About
Judge Christopher Morales
Judge Chris Morales has proudly served Fort Bend County as Judge of County Court at Law No. 1 since 2014, earning re-election in 2018 and 2022 through a steady record of experience, fairness, and community-focused leadership. His court handles matters that directly affect the lives of Fort Bend County residents, including probate and guardianship cases, juvenile cases, civil litigation cases, condemnation proceedings, civil mental health commitments, and criminal misdemeanor cases.
Most notably, Judge Morales oversees Fort Bend County’s only Misdemeanor Mental Health Court. This innovative program helps reduce recidivism and county costs by ensuring individuals with mental health challenges receive the care they need to lead more stable, productive lives, demonstrating his belief that justice and compassion can work hand in hand.
In 2017, Judge Morales was chosen by his fellow judges to serve as the Administrative Judge for all County Courts at Law, becoming the youngest person in Fort Bend County history to hold that role. During his term, he guided the courts through complex legal and operational changes, helping them become some of the most technologically advanced courtrooms in Texas.
A lifelong resident of Fort Bend County, Judge Morales is deeply committed to upholding the Constitution, protecting public safety, and ensuring fiscal responsibility in the courts. His leadership in implementing virtual hearings, well before the COVID-19 pandemic made them essential, helped keep the justice system running while saving taxpayer dollars. His proactive approach has also led to reduced backlogs and faster access to justice for local families and businesses.
Judge Morales brings a wealth of real-world legal experience to the bench. Before becoming a judge, he practiced law in both the public sector and private sector as an Assistant District Attorney in Fort Bend County, a litigator at a respected Houston law firm, and owner of his own boutique law practice.
A graduate of Texas A&M University and South Texas College of Law, one of the nation’s top trial advocacy schools, Judge Morales also shares his knowledge with future attorneys as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston Law Center. He is a regular speaker at continuing legal education programs throughout the Houston area and conducts a training seminar for ad litem lawyers yearly in his courtroom. His passion for teaching and mentoring young lawyers reflects the same values that have guided his lifelong service to Fort Bend County.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES & MEMBERSHIPS
State Bar of Texas
2006 – Present
Licensed Attorney
State Bar College
2008 – Present
15 Year Fellow
Texas Probate Law American Inn of Courts
2023 – Present
Member and 2024-2025 Team Leader
Juvenile Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
2012 – Present
Member
Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
2010 – Present
Member
Judicial Section of the State Bar of Texas
2015 – Present
Board Member
Fort Bend County Bar Association
2015 – Present
Honorary Member
United States District Court Southern District of Texas
2009 – 2014
Admission No. 993115 (expired)
Fort Bend County Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
2009 – 2014
Member
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
2010 – 2014
Member
Texas Young Lawyers’ Association
2007 – 2013
Member
Texas District & County Attorney’s Association
2007 – 2009
Member
BOARD
MEMBERSHIPS
State Bar of Texas, Judicial Section
2024 – Present
Board Member, Place 8
Miller Career & Technology Center (Katy ISD) Criminal Justice Advisory Board
Member
2025-Present.
11th Judicial Region Budget Committee
2019 – Present
Board Member
Fort Bend County Council of Judges
2015 – Present
Board Member
Fort Bend County Courts at Law Board
2015 – Present
Board Member and Former Administrative Judge
Fort Bend County Juvenile Board
2015 – Present
Board Member
State Bar of Texas, Judicial Section, Civil Justice Sub-Committee
2021
Committee Member
Fort Bend County Law Library Board
2015 – Present
Board Member
Fort Bend County Mental Health Advisory Board
2015 – 2020
Non-Voting Board Member
Fort Bend County Criminal Justice Mental Health Task Force
2017 – 2020
Contributor, Member and Speaker
Fort Bend County Truancy Committee
2017
Appointed Committee Member
Fort Bend County Bail Bond Board
2015
Board Member
Fort Bend County Chamber of Commerce
2012 – 2019
Board Member & Vice Chair of Young Professionals Division
Central Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce
2011 – 2019
Vice Chair of Young Professionals Division
PRESENTATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL LECTURES
Co-Speaker, “Ad Litem Appointments in the County Courts,” Fort Bend Bar Association and Lone Star Legal Aid, March 28, 2025
Speaker, “Coffee with the Court: Practicing in County Court at Law No. 1,” Fort Bend Bar Association, March 6, 2025
Co-Speaker, “Alternatives to Guardianship,” Texas Probate Law American Inn of Courts, January 8, 2025
Co-Speaker and Emcee, “The Basics of Probate,” Texas Probate Law American Inn of Courts, June 17, 2024
Keynote Speaker, “Practicing Probate in County Court at Law No. 1,” County Court at Law No. 1 CLE Requirement, February 22, 2024, February 16, 2023, February 28, 2022, March 11, 2021
Speaker, “Mental Illness: The Changing World of Juvenile Justice,” The Texas Probation Association Annual Conference, March 5, 2024 and March 31, 2025
Master of Ceremony/Panelist Speaker, “Criminal Justice Mental Health Seminar,” Fort Bend County Behavioral Health Department, June 15, 2023
Panelist / Speaker, “Bench Bar Social – Meet the Judiciary,” Fort Bend Bar Association, October 26, 2022
Speaker, “Litigation Do’s and Don’ts,” University of Houston Law Center Criminal Law Association, April 21, 2021
Speaker / Panelist, “The Judiciary Talks,” Houston Young Lawyers Association, April 6, 2021
Keynote Speaker, “Practicing Probate in County Court at Law No. 1,” County Court at Law No. 1 CLE Requirement, March 11, 2021
Introductory Speaker, “2021 Criminal Justice Mental Health Seminar, Working Together to Break the Cycle of Incarceration for Persons with Mental Health Illness,” Fort Bend County Behavioral Health Services, March 5, 2021
Speaker, “Mental Health Commitment Ad Litem Seminar,” County Court at Law No. 1 requirement, January 6, 2020.
Keynote Speaker, “Coffee with the Court: 2019 Policy & Procedure Update,” Fort Bend Bar Association CLE, December 12, 2019.
Speaker / Panelist, “Houston Bar Association’s Probate, Trust & Estates Section Judges Panel,” Houston Bar Association, April 30, 2019.
Keynote Speaker, “Practicing Probate in County Court at Law No. 1 & 2,” Fort Bend Bar Association CLE, February 24, 2020, February 18, 2019, February 19, 2018, February 20, 2017.
Keynote Speaker, “Coffee with the Court: A Roundtable Discussion with County Court at Law No. 1,” Fort Bend Bar Association CLE, September 17, 2018.
Commencement Speaker, “Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation Department GED Graduation Ceremony,” June 12, 2018, June 12, 2018, June 19, 2017 and June 20, 2016.
Co-Presenter / Speaker, “Fort Bend County Court System,” Fulshear Area Chamber of Commerce Monthly Meeting, May 10, 2017.
Keynote Speaker, “Practicing Probate in County Court at Law No. 1,” Disability & Elder Law Attorneys Association Monthly Meeting, March 3, 2017.
Keynote Speaker, “Coffee with the Court: Practicing in County Court at Law No. 1” Fort Bend Bar Association CLE, August 15, 2016.
Co-Presenter / Speaker, “Fort Bend County Mental Health Seminar,” Fort Bend Behavioral Health Services, May 13, 2016.
Co-Presenter / Speaker, “Juvenile Law: A View from the Bench,” Fort Bend County Criminal Attorneys Association CLE, April 8, 2016.
Keynote Speaker, “Ad Litems: Practicing in County Court at Law No. 1,” Fort Bend Bar Association CLE, April 1, 2016.
Speaker / Panelist, “Now What? Dealing with the Financial Aftermath of Law School,” Texas Young Lawyers Association, October 7, 2014
Co-Presenter / Speaker, “Second Chance Seminar: Expunctions, Juvenile Sealing and Non-Disclosures,” Fort Bend County Criminal Attorneys Association CLE, 2013.
HONORS AND
AWARDS
Lonestar Legal Aid Pro Bono Excellence Award
2022
Recognition of my commitment to the Fort Bend Bar
Annual Emcee for Juvenile Department GED Graduation
2019-2024
Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation Dept.’s Annual GED ceremony
United States Army Special Recognition
2018
Recognized as a Judge for Assisting the Army in the Enlistment Process for Local Youth
Texas A&M University 12 Under 12 Young Alumni Spotlight
2016
Runner Up/Honorable Mention to the Top 12
Fort Bend’s Top 40 Under 40
2012
Fort Bend County Business Journal
COMMUNITY
SERVICE
Career Day Presenter
2025
Fort Bend ISD, Oyster Creek Elementary
Amazing Shake Competition Judge
2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Jane Long Elementary School
Little League Baseball Coach
2016 – 2021
Lamar Little League
Leadership High School, LCISD
2017 -2019
Guest Speaker & Mentor, Richmond, Texas
Lamar Education Awards Foundation
2013 – 2019
Men Who Cook, Richmond, Texas
Casa de Esperanza de los Niño’s
2013
Bubbles & Bauble, Sugar Land, Texas
Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce
2011-2012
Leadership Forum Alumni, Sugar Land, Texas
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
2008-2010
Transportation Committee and Art Auction Committee, Houston, Texas