Harris County, Texas · Civil District Court Judicial Candidate
Lema May
Mousilli
Attorney. Advocate. Judicial Candidate.
Over two decades of civil trial experience. A prosecutor's discipline, a civil litigator's precision, and an unwavering commitment to equal access to justice in every courtroom, for every Texan.
The Civil Courts Should Work
for the People, Not Against Them
Texas civil district courts are the front lines of justice for everyday Texans, where contracts are enforced, businesses are held accountable, and individuals protect their rights. These courts deserve a judge with real courtroom experience, not just a resume.
I am Lema May Mousilli, and I have spent over 20 years inside courtrooms across Texas and the country, not behind a desk. I have represented individuals against powerful corporations, navigated complex commercial disputes, argued appeals, and served as mediator, guardian ad litem, and court-appointed counsel. I know what it feels like to stand before a judge with a client's future on the line. That perspective will define how I serve on the bench.
Harris County's civil dockets face persistent delays that cost litigants time, money, and justice. I will bring disciplined docket management, clear scheduling, and prompt rulings, while never sacrificing fairness or due process. Every person who appears before my court will be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of who they are or who they hired.
I am announcing my candidacy for Civil District Court because I believe Harris County deserves a judge who has earned this bench, one case, one client, one courtroom at a time.
Clearing Civil Docket Delays
Texas civil courts carry significant backlogs that cost litigants years and thousands in carrying costs. I will prioritize efficient, fair docket management with clear scheduling, timely rulings, and a disciplined approach that respects every party's time and resources.
Judicial Accountability & Term Limits
I support reasonable judicial term limits to promote accountability, fresh perspectives, and continued public confidence in our courts. A judiciary that remains engaged and responsive is essential to public trust in Harris County's civil justice system.
Equal Access, No Exceptions
Civil litigation should not be a tool available only to the wealthy. I will run a courtroom where individuals and small businesses are treated with the same rigor and respect as the most powerful corporations and law firms in Texas.
“I know what it feels like to stand before a judge with a client's future on the line. That perspective will define how I serve on the bench.”
Lema May Mousilli, Civil District Court Judicial Candidate
20+ Years. Every Courtroom.
One Standard of Justice.
My name is Lema May Mousilli. I am a committed Democrat, a trial attorney, a law professor, and a proud single mother to a bright 14-year-old who inspires everything I do. I have practiced law for over 20 years in state courts, federal courts, appellate courts, and courtrooms across the United States, as both plaintiff's counsel and defense attorney.
My practice spans civil litigation, commercial disputes, intellectual property, personal injury, criminal prosecution and defense, counter-terrorism, immigration, probate, civil rights, health law, real estate, and mass torts. I have taken on the largest law firms in the country on behalf of individuals and small businesses, and won.
I am licensed before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and the State Bar of Texas. I also possess native professional proficiency in Arabic, with working knowledge of Spanish.
Education
- J.D. (2006)University of Houston Law Center
- Executive M.B.A. (2014)Texas Tech UniversityMagna Cum Laude
- B.A. English & Political Science (2003)University of Houston Honors CollegeCum Laude
- LanguagesNative Arabic Fluency · Working Spanish
Awards & Recognition
- Super Lawyers (2020 to 2026)7 Consecutive Years of Recognition
- Top 40 Under 40 (2018 & 2019)The National Trial Lawyers
- Top 40 Under 40 (2020)Arab American Foundation
- Best Writer of the YearUniversity of Houston Law Center
Bar & Federal Courts
- State Bar of Texas (May 2006)All Texas State Trial & Appellate Courts
- Federal Appellate & ClaimsU.S. Fifth Circuit · Federal Circuit · Court of Federal Claims
- U.S. District Courts (Texas)Southern, Western & Northern Districts of Texas
- U.S. District Courts (National)District of Columbia · District of Colorado
Teaching & Service
- Adjunct Professor of LawBusiness Law & Constitutional Law
- Certified Commercial MediatorCourt-Certified Neutral Since 2005
- Guardian ad LitemCourt-Appointed Fiduciary Service
- Court-Appointed CounselConstitutional Due Process Representation
How I Will Run My Courtroom
Respect for All
Every person who appears before the court, whether plaintiff, defendant, witness, or attorney, will be treated with dignity. No exceptions. No favoritism.
Justice for All
Decisions will be grounded in law, evidence, and impartial reasoning. You will not be discriminated against in my courtroom, ever.
Equal Access
The civil courts exist to resolve disputes, not to favor the party with the larger legal team. Equal access to justice is not a slogan. It is my standard.
What a Civil District
Court Judicial Candidate Actually Does
Texas Civil District Courts are the primary trial courts for civil matters in Harris County. They handle commercial disputes, personal injury litigation, contract enforcement, real property matters, civil rights actions, and complex multi-party litigation. The cases are consequential. The decisions last a lifetime.
A civil district court judge presides over jury trials, bench trials, hearings, and complex pretrial matters. The role demands mastery of civil procedure, evidence, and substantive law across dozens of practice areas, along with the discipline to manage a demanding docket fairly and efficiently.
Lema May Mousilli has litigated civil cases at the trial and appellate levels in Texas state courts, federal courts, and courtrooms across the country for over 20 years. She has been on both sides of the courtroom. She knows exactly what this bench requires.
Court at a Glance
Harris County is the third-largest county in the United States. Its civil courts handle tens of thousands of cases each year. This seat matters.
Ready to Make
History with Lema?
Campaigns are built one supporter at a time. Whether you volunteer, donate, or simply spread the word, you are part of bringing experienced, impartial justice to Harris County's civil courts.
Join the Campaign Newsletter
We'd Love
to Hear from You
Whether you have a question, want to get involved, or are a member of the press, reach out. Lema May Mousilli's campaign team responds to every message.