Thomas Just – Judge, Hays County Court at Law #2

Thomas Just

 

What is your work history, including current employment? (list format)

• The Jackson Law Firm, PLLC (Cedar Park, TX) — Of Counsel (2024–Present)
• The Lippincott Law Firm, PLLC (Austin, TX) — Of Counsel (2023–Present)
• Gunter, Bennett & Anthes, PC (Austin, TX) — Associate Attorney (2023–2024)
• Bustos Family Law, PLLC (Austin, TX) — Associate Attorney (2020–2023)
• Sergi & Associates, PC (San Marcos, TX) — Associate Attorney (2019–2020)
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America — Pro Bono Advocate (2017–2019)
• Seattle University School of Law — (2013–2016)
  • Seattle Stand Down Pro Bono Legal Services Clinic for Veterans — Director of Legal Services (2014–2018)
  • Washington State Office of the Attorney General (Seattle, WA) — Law Clerk (2014)
• The University of Texas at Austin — (2010–2013)
  • Congressman Lloyd Doggett (Austin, TX) — Congressional Aide (2010–2012)
  • Project Vote Smart — Legislative Analyst (2011)
• United States Air Force — Network and Cyber Intelligence Analyst (2003–2009)

 

What is your educational history, including degrees received, licenses, professional credentials, etc.? (list format)

• Court Admissions: Texas Supreme Court; U.S. District Court (W.D. Texas); U.S. Court of Appeals (5th Circuit); U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
• Texas Bar College — Member (2019–Present)
• Licensed Attorney — State Bar of Texas (Admitted 2019–Present)
• Seattle University School of Law — J.D., (2013–2016)
• The University of Texas at Austin — B.A. Philosophy & Government (Double Major), (2010–2013)
• Austin Community College — Undergraduate Coursework (Transfer), (2009)
• Community College of the Air Force — Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Communications Applications and Technology (2006–2007)
• Specialized Training: USAF Airman Leadership School; USAF Signals Intelligence Analysis Course; U.S. Navy Digital Network Analysis Course; NSA Geospatial Metadata Analysis Course (2003--2009)

What is your history of supporting Democratic organizations and/or candidates?

I’ve been a Democrat for my entire adult life. At UT Austin, I worked with the University Democrats; in Hays County, I’ve helped build durable infrastructure as Vice Chair of the Hays County Democratic Party and a board member of the Kyle Buda Area Democrats. I stay active across the county with our Democratic clubs, developing new leaders and keeping volunteers engaged between elections.

I support pro-democracy and veteran advocacy through Texas Democratic Veterans (former board member), Austin Democratic Veterans (former president), Vote Vets, Common Defense, the Democratic Lawyers Association of Texas, and the Truman National Security Project.

My record is clear: I have never supported, voted for, or donated to a Republican. This race is about flipping this seat and strengthening our community, and I will continue to organize and support Democratic initiatives after Election Day. To learn more about my history of supporting the Democratic Party, visit https://JustForHays.com/meet-thomas/.

What, if any, experience do you have with non-partisan volunteering and community engagement in Hays County?

My non-partisan community engagement in Hays County is rooted in a genuine desire to serve. A key part of my work is supporting veterans. I proudly represent veterans in VA proceedings and work pro bono with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs legal clinic. I also actively volunteer with veteran-focused organizations, and I have held roles in veterans-related public service in Central Texas.

I am proud to support Task Force Butler by providing pro bono legal assistance to hold accountable those involved in violent extremist activities through lawful civil procedures—focusing on community safety and safeguarding institutional integrity, rather than pursuing political motives.

Locally, I participate in hands-on community activities, including teacher supply drives, back-to-school events, and classroom visits, during which I discuss with students the roles and responsibilities of lawyers and the functioning of civic institutions.

To learn more about my history of civic and professional engagement, visit https://JustForHays.com/meet-thomas/.

What area(s) of the law have you practiced?

My practice has been heavily courtroom-focused across the kinds of matters that show up on a County Court at Law docket and beyond. Most of this practice has been in Central Texas, and includes:

• Criminal law (misdemeanors and felonies)
• Family law (custody, support, divorce, enforcement, high-conflict contested hearings)
• Probate/guardianship (including guardianships and court oversight issues)
• Civil litigation (including the removal of an elected official for incompetence and charges and sanctions associated with a person practicing law without a license in Hays County)
• Federal court practice (including criminal, intellectual property, and bankruptcy)
• Veterans matters (VA proceedings and advocacy)

To learn more about my experience and affiliations as a legal professional, visit https://JustForHays.com/meet-thomas/.

How do you handle making difficult decisions, especially ones you may not personally agree with?

I don’t start with a desired outcome and work backward to justify it. I approach decisions informed by my background in intelligence and law, which has helped me develop strong, ethical, analytical skills—distinguishing assumptions from facts, considering multiple explanations, and avoiding snap judgments. I start with the foundation: the Constitution, statutes, rules, and existing decisions. Then, I carefully build the factual record by testing what I hear, weighing evidence carefully, and checking for biases, including my own.

As a judge, I would make principled decisions that follow the law, reduce harm to the community, and deliver equal justice for all.

What Democratic values will you apply to your work once elected?

As a judge, I will uphold Democratic values by combining strict impartiality with a profound dedication to fairness, dignity, and equal protection. Every individual entering the courtroom, regardless of their wealth, social status, or affiliations, deserves to be heard and treated with the utmost respect.

Equity and legitimacy come from fair and just procedures, which include consistently delivered due process, clear and understandable rulings, and dependable language support, like available Spanish interpretation. This is also why my website is available in Spanish at https://JustForHays.com/es.

I will work to fully fund the Public Defender’s Office to protect everyone's right to legal counsel. I support evidence-based accountability measures, such as diversion programs for young adults, juvenile mental health diversion, and the expansion of the Veterans Treatment Court.

Courts should focus on justice rather than profit, which is why I oppose the 30% surcharge that a private company can tack on to collections. I support creating a fair and neutral system for collecting court costs, fines, and fees.

To learn more about my policy priorities for Hays County Court at Law No. 2, visit https://JustForHays.com/policies/.

The rule of law is under unprecedented attack in America. How can we trust you to defend the rights of all Hays County people, even in the face of pressure from the state and federal government?

You can rely on my commitment to uphold the rights of all residents of Hays County, as I have dedicated my adult life to protecting the rule of law even in challenging circumstances. I adhere to the Air Force Core Values—Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Integrity First signifies unwavering loyalty to the Constitution rather than to convenience or political interests. I put my career on the line when I disobeyed an unlawful order during my service in the Air Force. Here in Hays County, I voluntarily and pro bono initiated legal proceedings to replace a District Clerk from our own political party due to the office's dysfunction. This initiative resulted in the Clerk’s resignation, and the people of Hays were able to elect a competent Democratic replacement.

Service Before Self is the responsibility of leaders in a position of public trust to do what is right for those they serve first and foremost. Elected officials exist under the law, not above it. I hold myself and all our leaders to the highest standard of accountability, and I stand ready and willing to endure criticism and condemnation rather than compromise the rules. If state or federal officials exert pressure, it will not influence my rulings. I will uphold due process, respect individual rights, mandate lawful procedures, conduct an ethical courtroom without special access, and transparently explain decisions.

Excellence in All We Do entails making decisions based on documented evidence, established precedent, and meticulous reasoning, rather than viral moments or sensational headlines. Excellence is justice delivered through a fair and timely process.

Some people are being held in pre-trial incarceration for long periods of time. How will you address the backlog of cases and speed up the justice process while respecting the rights of the victim and the accused?

“Justice delayed" adversely affects all parties involved: defendants presumed innocent, victims pursuing safety and closure, and taxpayers bearing the costs of unnecessary incarceration. The solution is not to cut corners; instead, it involves operating a disciplined, well-resourced judiciary that advances cases efficiently while safeguarding the rights of all parties.

My approach:

Efficient and equitable docket management characterized by consistent settings, early detection of pending cases, and timely issuance of rulings.

Safeguard the right to legal counsel, as proceedings do not advance when defense resources or appointments are delayed.

Enhance language accessibility, including dependable in-person Spanish interpretation.

Individualized, risk-based pretrial decisions aligned with due process, complemented by enhanced Pretrial Services and prompt magistration.

Expand appropriate diversion and problem-solving options, including young-adult programs and juvenile mental health tracks, and revise the eligibility criteria for

Veterans Treatment Court so that a greater number of veterans with mental health needs can be admitted and connected to treatment—thereby expediting the resolution of eligible cases and reducing recurrent harm.

Victim-centered, trauma-informed coordination and precise scheduling to prevent victims from being repeatedly summoned without progress.

Transparency, by publishing precise performance data (backlog and clearance rates), enables the public and county leadership to assess the effectiveness of current measures.

The objective is to establish a more efficient, organized, ethical, and focused judicial process that produces lawful, sustainable outcomes. To learn more about how I’d like to achieve a more just future for Hays County, visit https://justforhays.com/policies/.

Yes or no, did you use AI to assist you in answering any of these questions?

No.