Meet the Judges
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Qualified
Principled
Experienced
JUDGE BRAD CLARK
County Criminal Court No. 5
As an attorney who has been on both sides of the courtroom and a successful business leader, Brad understands the importance of running an efficient and productive courtroom. He is committed to providing all litigants a fair and impartial forum in which allegations of intimate partner violence will be resolved efficiently and justly. Because of his experience and commitment to justice, Brad Clark is uniquely qualified to be the next judge of Tarrant County Criminal Court No. 5.
Brad was born and raised in Fort Worth. After earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Baylor University School of Law, Brad was hired by the Honorable Tim Curry to serve as an Assistant Criminal District Attorney and was ultimately selected to be an original member of Tarrant County’s first dedicated Family Violence Prosecution Team. After his public service as a prosecutor, Brad formed The Clark Law Firm. Although Brad has always limited his practice to criminal law, his leadership and effective management style have allowed the firm to add additional attorneys who continue to serve our community with expanded practice areas, including family law and child welfare.
With more than 30 years of experience practicing criminal law in Tarrant County, Brad knows the Tarrant County Courthouse and understands the importance of giving back to the community that is his home. He is committed to making a difference in the lives of others. He serves as the Chair of the Criminal Law Section of the Tarrant County Bar Association and as a Master in the Eldon Mahon Inn of Court. For nearly two decades, Brad has worked alongside current judges, prosecutors, and mental health experts to help create and refine a program that gives offenders who suffer from mental health challenges options for rehabilitation.
Over the years, Brad’s work has earned numerous awards and recognition, including being named a Texas Bar Foundation Fellow, an honor bestowed upon only the top one-third of 1% of all Texas attorneys. He has also been rated as a Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine. Recently, Brad was recognized by the Texas Association of Specialty Courts for his work in the community and by the Fort Worth Business Press for his positive and lasting influence on others in the Fort Worth community.
Brad serves on the Board of Trustees at All Saints' Episcopal School. He also serves alongside law enforcement and other community leaders on the Board of the Tarrant County Reentry Coalition, a nonprofit organization created to help rehabilitated offenders obtain housing, job skills, education, and employment, thereby reducing recidivism. As the next judge of Tarrant County Criminal Court No. 5, Brad will continue this vital work and preside over this court with an unwavering commitment to justice.
JUDGE BRIAN BOLTON
County Criminal Court No. 9
Since taking the bench in Tarrant County Criminal Court No. 9, Judge Brian Bolton has presided over more than 100 jury trials during his first term, making CCC9 one of the most active trial courts in the criminal courthouse.
Judge Bolton manages the court’s docket efficiently, ensuring cases move through the justice system without unnecessary delay. His approach protects defendants’ constitutional right to a speedy trial while allowing crime victims to be heard sooner.
Because of his reputation for efficient courtroom management and his commitment to operating a true trial court, district court judges routinely transfer felony cases to CCC9 for trial, helping move serious cases through the system more quickly.
Judge Bolton remains focused on three core principles: protecting constitutional due process rights, safeguarding the community, and applying the law equally and impartially, as written.
Tarrant County deserves judges who are fair, experienced, firm, and impartial. Judge Brian Bolton has demonstrated those qualities throughout his service on the bench and respectfully asks for your support to continue serving in Criminal Court No. 9.
JUDGE ANDY PORTER
Criminal District Court No. 4
Judge Andy Porter serves as the elected district judge for Criminal District Court No. 4 of Tarrant County, Texas. He previously worked as an associate judge in Tarrant County’s juvenile court, as a prosecutor in three different counties in Texas, and as a permanent staff attorney to the Sixth Court of Appeals.
Before becoming a judge, Porter argued cases before the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th, and 13th Courts of Appeals, as well as both the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
The highlight of his career occurred in 2017, when Justice Clarence Thomas (writing for a 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court) affirmed the death sentence in Davila v. Texas, a case in which Porter served as Tarrant County’s lead post-conviction prosecutor.
Judge Porter received his B.A. cum laude from Austin College in Sherman, Texas. At Austin College, Judge Porter was both a Hatton W. Sumners Foundation Scholar in Political Science and a Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholar.
Judge Porter received his law degree, with honors, from Drake University. He clerked for the Honorable Richard G. Blane II in Des Moines, Iowa, and thereafter worked for the Jasper County, Iowa, District Attorney’s office before returning to Texas.
Judge Porter is admitted to practice law in both Texas and Iowa. He is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the federal courts for the Eastern District of Texas.
Judge Porter is one of fewer than 150 lawyers in Texas who is Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and he is a 20-year fellow with the Texas Bar College. He frequently lectures on criminal law matters, including such topics as post-conviction remedies, appellate court decisions, and United States Supreme Court history.
Judge Porter is a member of the Federalist Society and numerous Republican Clubs in Tarrant County. He is a Life Member of the National Rifle Association.
JUDGE DUSTY FILLMORE
236th District Court
Dusty began his legal career as a Briefing Attorney for United States District Judge David O. Belew, Jr., in Fort Worth where he has lived almost his entire life. Dusty then joined his father in private practice, eventually forming The Fillmore Law Firm. Dusty’s brother, Chad, joined The Fillmore Law Firm in 1994, and the two continue to practice law together.
Dusty’s law practice has centered on complex civil trials and appeals in both state and federal courts. Dusty has achieved the highest peer review rating of “AV Preeminent” from Martindale-Hubbell, and he has been listed as a Texas Monthly “Super Lawyer” since 2003. Federal judges have appointed Dusty to serve on important federal advisory committees, and Dusty was even hired to serve as the personal attorney for one local federal judge.
Dusty has been a licensed and practicing lawyer for more than three decades, during which time he earned a reputation as a zealous advocate for his clients and a committed conservative. On the bench, Dusty will serve his community with fairness and an unwavering commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law.
JUDGE AMY ALLIN
297th District Court
Judge Amy Allin was appointed by Governor Abbott, confirmed by the Senate, and sworn in on April 3, 2025, to serve as judge of the 297th Judicial District, a court with jurisdiction over adult felony criminal cases committed in Tarrant County.
As a member of the judiciary, Judge Allin has remained steadfast in her fidelity to the law and ensuring that justice is fairly administered each day. Efficiency is essential to the criminal justice system, as defendants need their day in court, victims and their families deserve closure, and communities expect results from a system largely funded by taxpayer dollars. Judge Allin’s commitment to running an efficient court is reflected in the 20% reduction of backlogged cases in just over a year. Community safety has also been a hallmark of Judge Allin’s tenure, keeping a watchful eye on defendants released on bail or community supervision.
Prior to taking the bench, Judge Allin served the citizens of Tarrant County as a prosecutor with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. She was a member of the Intimate Partner Violence Unit, Assistant Chief of the Adult Sexual Assault Unit, Deputy Chief of the Misdemeanor Division, and Chief of a felony court team. Her success and dedication to public service were recognized when she was honored as Tarrant County’s Prosecutor of the Year in 2022 and received the Ultimate Warrior Award in 2024. Prior to joining the District Attorney’s Office, Judge Allin clerked for the district judges of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Born and raised in Dallas, Judge Allin received her high school diploma from Texas Tech University High School before attending the University of Illinois, where she was a four-year letter winner on the women’s tennis team. After graduation, she attended The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, earning academic honors. Judge Allin now lives in Fort Worth with her husband, Nick, and their two daughters.
JUDGE ALEX KIM
323rd District Court
Alex Kim’s past is deeply rooted in strong conservative values, which have defined him to this day.
Alex went to Wheaton College in Illinois and graduated from Baylor University. He and his family attend Countryside Church in Southlake, Texas and he has been a short-term missionary on multiple occasions. When Alex ran for Judge in 2018, he was endorsed by almost every conservative organization in Tarrant County, including DFW Conservative Voters, Texas Right to Life, Texas Association for Gun Rights, and the Tarrant Republican Club. Alex was a member of the Texas Electoral College in 2016 and received international attention for his commitment to vote for Donald Trump despite harassment, threats of lawsuits, and threats of violence against him and his family.
Alex is a Texan who has devoted his life to fighting for justice for the citizens of Tarrant County, Texas.
Before he was elected Judge, Alex had spent more than a decade preserving the values and freedoms of Tarrant County citizens. In that time, Alex served and represented the Tarrant County Republican Party in roles ranging from President of the Tarrant Republican Club to Vice Chair of the Tarrant County Republican Party and 2016 Elected Presidential Elector of the Electoral College.
Since taking office, Judge Kim has kept his promises and ushered in a new era in the 323rd District Court.
Notable Facts Since Judge Kim took office in 2019:
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Juvenile delinquency cases in Tarrant County are at a 10-year low.
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Recidivism by juvenile delinquents is at a 30-year low.
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The 323rd District Court has finished under budget every year since Alex took office.
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In CPS cases, the time children spent in foster care while waiting for a trial went from more than 520 days to under 240 days.
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The 323rd District Court was the most efficient court in Tarrant County and the second most efficient court in the state of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Judge Kim issued a restraining order in 2019 to stop a hospital from removing the life-sustaining medical treatment of a baby. That decision was upheld by the Texas Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court, and the baby is still alive today!
Alex and his family are the epitome of the American Dream. The son of immigrant parents, Alex saw firsthand what strong conservative values, hard work, and courage can provide to a family in America. His father, a captain in the U.S. Army, exhibited the importance of thanking and giving back to our great nation. Alex has worked to uphold his father’s service to our country and will continue to do so with the conservative values instilled in him as Tarrant County Juvenile Court Judge.
JUDGE CYNTHIA TERRY
325th District Court
Cynthia has served as Judge of the 325th Family District Court since 2023. She primarily hears divorce, child custody, property, child support, modification, adoptions, protective orders, enforcements, and CPS matters. She runs her court with transparency, efficiency, and compassion while following the law. In fact, with her on the bench families went from waiting years to waiting less than one year upon request for final trial saving them thousands in attorney fees and expenses and allowing them to move on with their lives sooner.
Prior to serving a District Judge, Cynthia served one term as an Associate Judge in the 323rd District Court hearing juvenile delinquency and CPS cases. As an attorney, Cynthia primarily practiced family and business litigation through Tarrant and the surrounding counties. She has experience in civil and criminal law both on the bench and as attorney. Cynthia also worked for an oil and gas firm providing her valuable knowledge in real estate matters. As an attorney, Cynthia was named a Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine for several years.
Prior to opening her own practice in Tarrant County, Cynthia clerked for the Honorable Bonnie Sudderth (then the Judge of the 352nd District Court), Chief Judge of the 2nd Court of Appeals.
A former magistrate judge in Michigan, Cynthia brought experience from behind the bench to her practice in Texas. She also served as the judicial advisory assistant to the chief judge of a circuit court. There she wrote opinions on civil motions, maintained courtroom decorum and the integrity of all juries, and wrote rulings on inmate motions for the criminal cases before the Court.
Cynthia earned her law degree from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School and graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan.
While finishing law school and working full-time, Cynthia began her family and continued her strong commitment to service. She has served many years on the PTA Board. Cynthia has also served on the Santa Fe Youth Services Board, brought suicide awareness training to the Tarrant County legal community, and volunteered for many other local non-profits. Cynthia gives both her time and treasure to our community.
Cynthia was born and raised in Flint, Michigan and attended Catholic school kindergarten through 12th grades. She remained in that area and was an active member of the church she was raised in and in her community until 2010 when she moved to Texas with her young family to be closer to her parents and enjoy the conservative philosophy which makes Texas and Tarrant County a leader in economic growth. Cynthia’s conservative values stem from her parents, who live in Arlington.
Cynthia is a long-time member of Fort Worth Republican Women and has served as a Vice President or on a board committee for more than 14 years. She has also served as a delegate at the State Convention. Prior to being appointed as Associate Judge, Cynthia volunteered for local and state candidates. Block walking, voter registration drives, electioneering, and phone banks are only some of the ways Cynthia has helped keep Texas and Tarrant County red. You can still find her at the polls engaging voters to Keep Texas Red.
Cynthia lives with her family, near her parents. They are members of St. Jude’s Catholic Church.
Cynthia Favila Terry is running for re-election to the 325th District Family Court.
JUDGE RYAN HILL
371st District Court
As a former Tarrant County Chief Prosecutor, Ryan Hill fought to take dangerous criminals off the streets and make our community a safer place to live and work. In the courtroom, Hill is known as a formidable legal mind, advocating for victims and taking on society’s worst criminals, such as gang members, child predators, and murderers.
Ryan Hill is a member of the Federalist Society with more than thirteen years of experience as a criminal prosecutor. Board Certified in Criminal Law, Ryan has over a decade of experience in felony jury trials. Throughout his career, Ryan has handled thousands of criminal cases and earned a reputation as a tough but fair prosecutor dedicated to making our neighborhoods safer.
As Faculty Adviser for the Texas District and County Attorneys Association and a guest speaker, Ryan Hill educates law enforcement and attorneys across the state of Texas on criminal law. Ryan also volunteers his legal expertise to address election integrity. Ryan believes our elections must be fair and free of fraud.
As Judge, Ryan runs an efficient and fair court and follows the law as written.
Meet the Candidates
Qualified
Principled
Experienced
JUDGE SHERRI WAGNER
for Criminal District Court No. 1
Sherri Wagner has dedicated her career to keeping the citizens of Tarrant County safe. She is currently an Associate Judge for the 323rd District Court. Since she took the bench in 2023, she has fought to maintain fairness and justice in her courtroom, protect the rights of victims, and hold criminals accountable. Prior to being an Associate Judge, Sherri was a criminal prosecutor for more than 20 years. She has always worked to seek justice with every prosecution and give victims a voice. Her conservative values have helped keep your community safe, and she will continue to do so as your elected Judge of Criminal District Court No. 1.
As an Assistant Criminal District Attorney, Sherri’s experience included working as a prosecutor in the Family Violence Unit. Sherri has tried more than 120 jury trials involving a wide range of crimes. Her trial experience includes Capital Murder, Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Aggravated Robbery, and Continuous Family Violence.
Sherri was raised in the Texas Panhandle by her dad, a Baptist preacher, and her mom, a high school English teacher. She graduated cum laude from Wayland Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Political Science. She moved to Fort Worth and worked in corporate publishing, working her way up to Team Leader and supervising several employees on a production team. While working full-time and married, she started law school. She earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence from what is now Texas A&M School of Law. In law school, she was President of the Christian Legal Society and was on the Mock Trial Competition Team.
Sherri’s husband, JJ Wagner, has also dedicated his career to keeping Tarrant County safe. He is an Air Force veteran and was, at the time, the youngest Master Law Enforcement Instructor with the 7th Security Police Squadron at Carswell Air Force Base. Three months after he left the Air Force, he entered the Fort Worth Police Academy. He retired after 26 years with the Fort Worth Police Department.
In their free time, Sherri and JJ like to cruise and travel. They are members at Christ Chapel Bible Church.
LESLIE BARROWS
for 231st District Court
Leslie’s path to the law began at Sam Houston State University and continued through law school at Oklahoma City University. Early in her legal career, she worked across multiple disciplines, but it was family law that called her. The stakes are personal, the emotions real, and the outcomes life-changing.
Grounded in her own family values as a wife and mother, Leslie brings the same care, commitment, and integrity to her clients that she does to her husband and children. Those values guide her work and fuel her dedication to helping families build stability and protect what matters most.
In 2006, Leslie founded the Barrows Firm to focus exclusively on family law: divorce, adoption, child protection, guardianship, probate, and more. She has handled high-conflict custody battles, high-net-worth divorces, and complex estate matters with the wisdom and strength families need most. As a certified mediator, she’s also helped countless Texans find resolution without unnecessary conflict by balancing firmness with empathy to achieve fair outcomes.
Leslie’s commitment to service goes beyond her legal practice. She’s held leadership roles across Tarrant County’s legal and civic institutions, including serving as Chair of Bar Association Day and Adoption Day, graduating from both Southlake and Grapevine Chamber leadership programs, and serving on the Executive Board of the Carroll Education Foundation. She proudly supports CASA of Tarrant County, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, and Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County.
Her work has earned widespread recognition, including being named Small Business of the Year by the Southlake Chamber of Commerce, Great Woman of Texas by the Fort Worth Business Press, and repeated honors as a Top Attorney by Southlake Style, 360 West, and Fort Worth Magazine.
Now, Leslie is ready to serve on the district family court by bringing real-world experience, community values, and unwavering integrity to the families who need it most.
ANDY HSU
for 324th District Court
A dedicated family man, Andy Hsu has been married to his wife, Tammy, for more than ten years. Together, they are raising two children with the same values that have guided him throughout his life: faith, integrity, and service to others.
Born and raised in Tarrant County, Andy is a proud lifelong resident and first-generation American. The son of Taiwanese immigrants, he embodies the American Dream through hard work, dedication, and an unshakable belief in the promise of opportunity this country offers.
A strong conservative and constitutional originalist, Andy upholds the judicial philosophy championed by Justice Antonin Scalia. He believes in interpreting the law as it is written, not as one wishes it to be, and is deeply committed to preserving the Constitution and protecting the liberties it guarantees.
Andy is a vocal advocate for the sanctity of life, the rights of the unborn, and the protection of the Second Amendment. As a small business owner, he understands firsthand the importance of free-market principles and is passionate about defending the freedoms that allow families and businesses to thrive.
He is also a staunch supporter of our U.S. Armed Forces and veterans, recognizing the sacrifices made by those who defend our nation.
With deep roots in the community, unwavering conservative values, and a heart for families, Andy Hsu is ready to serve Tarrant County with fairness, wisdom, and integrity on the family court bench.
JUDGE LEE SORRELLS
for 432nd District Court
Lee Sorrells has devoted his life to protecting and serving the public, building a career centered on safeguarding the people of Tarrant County from violent offenders. His strong work ethic, conservative principles, and unwavering dedication to justice have played a vital role in keeping our community safe. Now, Lee is ready to continue that service as the next Judge of the 432nd District Court.
Lee’s journey in public service began in October 2007, when he joined the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office as a Jailer. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a Deputy Sheriff and later a Sergeant. For nearly seven years, Lee served in the Patrol Division, with many of those nights spent protecting our community while others slept. He responded to a wide range of emergency calls, including cases of DWI, assault, sexual assault, and murder. His exemplary service earned him recognition as a Master Peace Officer, Field Training Officer, and recipient of a Life Saving Award. Throughout his time in uniform, Lee remained focused on fair law enforcement and public protection.
While working full-time in law enforcement, Lee pursued a legal education, graduating from Texas Wesleyan School of Law. Driven by his desire to continue serving the community, he applied solely to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. In 2015, he began his legal career as a Misdemeanor Prosecutor. Over the next nine years, Lee advanced to the role of Felony Court Chief and, ultimately, Chief of the Juvenile Division. He has tried a broad spectrum of criminal cases, including DWI, aggravated assault, sexual assault, and capital murder.
Lee’s professional excellence is reflected in his credentials. He became Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 2021 and in Criminal Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in 2022. He was recognized as a Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine in both 2023 and 2024, and was honored as Prosecutor of the Year in 2023 by Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney Phil Sorrells.
In November 2024, Lee was appointed Associate Judge of the 323rd District Court under District Judge Alex Kim. In this role, he presides over juvenile cases with a continued emphasis on public safety. His dedication helped make Tarrant County’s juvenile court the most efficient in Texas among counties with populations of more than one million. In 2024 alone, 92% of juvenile cases were resolved in under 180 days, delivering faster justice for victims and saving taxpayer dollars.
With the support of his wife and daughters, Lee Sorrells is committed to continuing his legacy of service, safety, and justice as the next Judge of the 432nd District Court.