Judge Goodwin earned his B.A. from Baylor University in 1994. In 1998, he graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas State Bar the same year. While in law school, Judge Goodwin served as President of the Student Bar Association and as a member of both the Law School Honor Council and the Texas Tech University Disciplinary Committee. Judge Goodwin also founded the Susan Fortney Award for Ethics, an annual award presented to the Texas Tech law student who most exemplifies the honor and integrity required of the legal profession.
Education and Career:
- Judge Goodwin’s legal career spans both the public and private sectors. Following law school, Judge Goodwin served for two years as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings in the Northern District of Texas. After completing his clerkship, he returned to his hometown of Houston where he handled litigation matters for several Fortune 500 companies at a large national law firm. He then served for five years as an Assistant District Attorney at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office where he prosecuted numerous offenses including violent crimes, aggravated robbery, drug offenses, and crimes against children. After leaving the District Attorney’s Office, Judge Goodwin was a senior attorney with the Mark Lanier Law Firm representing clients in a variety of civil litigation matters.
Political Activities:
- Harris County Republican Party Precinct Chair
- R Club, former member
- Served as an Election Judge
- Alternate Delegate, Republican Party of Texas Convention
- Member, Houston Young Republicans
- Volunteer, various Judicial Elections
Honors:
- 2013 Texas Super Lawyer, recognized in Texas Monthly Magazine
- 2013 & 2014 Top Lawyers for Litigation- Houstonia Magazine
Current and Former Professional Affiliations
- State Bar of Texas Grievance Committee, District 4
- Texas District & County Attorneys Association
- Houston Bar Association
- Speaker, Texas State Bar CLE on Jury Selection
- Christian Trial Lawyers’ Association
- Garland Walker Inn of Court
Community Activities
- Deacon & Teacher, Houston’s First Baptist Church
- Site Leader, Houston Project partnering with inner-city Houston churches to provide youth events and food distribution
- Initiated and supported “Man to Man- An Evening With Louie Zamperini,” a citywide event honoring Louis Zamperini, WWII hero and subject of the book and film Unbroken
- Habitat for Humanity
- Board of Advisors and former Trustee, Chinquapin School for Gifted & Underprivileged Children
- Completed an Ironman Triathlon & 11 Marathons