The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Let me introduce myself. My name is Mike Abbott and I am running for judge of the County Court at Law of Orange County.

With my years as a presiding municipal judge, I am the lone candidate with judicial education, training and experience. And as a lawyer and mediator in private practice I am the candidate most thoroughly experienced in every area of law over which this court has responsibility (probate, guardianships, class A and B misdemeanors, civil suits involving claims up to $200,000.00, full range of domestic issues (e.g. divorce, custody, visitation, child support, etc.), delinquent juveniles and the appointment of special commissioners in eminent domain cases).

I live and practice law in Orange County. My wife of over 24 years, Kay Abbott, formerly Kay Ouzts of Port Acres, is a legal secretary for Jerry Pennington.

Having grown up in a blue collar family and being the first in my family to graduate college, I understand the concerns of working people and the small business owner.

And as a proud Veteran of the United States Marine Corp, I am especially sensitive to veterans’ issues.

I graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree, and was in the top quarter of my law school class while earning a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.

Furthermore, the accumulation of hundreds of hours of continuing legal education has qualified me as a member of the College of the State Bar. As a sitting judge, I attend additional judicial training annually.

My mediator training is extensive and includes Basic Mediation Training Course, Advanced Family Mediation Training Course, CPS Mediator Training Course and Advanced Attorney Mediation Training course. I have mediated cases involving a wide range of legal issues, and these mediations have resulted in a savings of costs to both the parties and the taxpayer. In addition, these experiences are a contributing factor to the way I approach my role as judge.

The states of Texas and Washington have licensed me to practice law. In addition, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and each of the four federal districts in Texas have admitted me to practice in their jurisdictions.

And my certification as an attorney ad litem has provided me with the opportunity, and responsibility, to protect the rights of the elderly or otherwise disabled for whom a guardianship has been filed.

My career as an attorney and mediator has been both wide ranging and satisfying. I have even had the extremely rare privilege of appearing before the Texas Supreme Court.

But my most gratifying experience as a lawyer has been the five years that I have been Presiding Judge of the Vidor Municipal Court. My reputation is that of a firm, fair and highly respected judge, reflected in the fact that I have been endorsed by the Vidor Police Association, the very officers that appear in my court on a regular basis, and the Sabine Area Labor Council.

In conclusion, I believe that my education, training and experience is the best assurance to the citizens of Orange County that they will get a fair and prompt resolution of their legal matter, and an outcome based on the law and the facts, free of favoritism, and without regard to social or economic status of the parties involved.

Thank you for your vote.

~ Mike Abbott ~