Narrative Bio and Full Curriculum Vitae

Judge Roy Ferguson, who currently serves as a special/private judge and arbitrator, presided for 12 years over a five-county court of general jurisdiction in far west Texas, covering roughly 20,000 square miles and over 20% of the US-Mexico border. He was the 32nd sitting district judge in Texas history to author a published appellate opinion, one of several he issued during his nine-year standing assignment with the 8th Court of Appeals of Texas (2014-2023). After serving three terms, he chose not to run for reelection and retired from the full-time bench in December of 2024.

Judge Ferguson is dedicated to improving the quality of justice for all Texans. He is a councilmember of the Family Law Section and co-chair of its Judiciary Committee, commissioner on the Texas Children’s Commission and Chair of the Child Welfare Attorney Ad Litem Standards of Representation Committee, commissioner and executive committee member of the Texas Access to Justice Commission, trustee and sustaining life fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and a fellow of the Texas Bar College Society of Legal Scholars.
He is also active in State Bar of Texas leadership, currently serving as chair of the Trial Subcommittee of the State Bar Court Rules Committee, on the Texas Taskforce for Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Law and the Texas Supreme Court’s Judicial Committee on Information Technology, and having previously served as liaison to the Computer & Technology Section, on the Judicial Section and GPSOLO Section councils, Texas Remote Proceedings Task Force, Uniform Case Management System Study Group, Judicial Needs Assessment Committee, NCSC Hybrid Proceedings Task Force, and the Judicial Council Civil Justice Committee’s Advisory Council.

Judge Ferguson’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. He is the 2024 recipient of the Robert R. Dawson Award, which recognizes outstanding service to improve the way Texas provides counsel for its poorest citizens accused of crimes (the first judge to ever receive this honor), and of the 2024 Dan Price Award, bestowed upon an exceptionally distinguished lawyer or judge who had a significant impact on the practice of family law (the third sitting judge ever to receive this honor). Judge Ferguson was recently named a 2025 “Legal Rebel” by the American Bar Association—a designation bestowed upon persons whose innovations remake the legal profession and set new standards that will guide the profession in the future.
Judge Ferguson is a frequent educational speaker to judges, lawyers, and law students across the country and around the world on topics including family law, criminal law, child welfare law, legal and judicial ethics, procedural justice, artificial intelligence, litigation techniques, virtual advocacy, social media, self-represented litigants, sovereign citizens, pro bono and public defense, and courtroom technology. He is the 2024 recipient of the Texas Bar College Pat Nester Outstanding Achievement in Continuing Legal Education Award, and was named the Texas Center for the Judiciary’s 2024 Exemplary Speaker. He frequently serves on planning committees for TexasBarCLE conferences. Judge Ferguson authors the “Let’s Talk Lawyering” column in the ABA Young Lawyers Magazine.

Return to Main Page

Curriculum Vitae - Hon. Roy Ferguson

Professional Affiliations, Appointments, and Memberships

· Special/Private Judge, Arbitrator, Trial Consultant (2025-present)

· Judge – 394thJudicial District Court of Texas (2013-2024)

· Local Administrative District Judge (2015-2024)

· Judge Pro Tem – 8thDistrict Court of Appeals, El Paso (2014-2016, 2019-2023)

· Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas, Councilmember (2022-present)

o Co-chair - Judicial Committee (2023-present)

· Texas Children’s Commission, Commissioner (2021-present)

o Chair – Standards of Representation Committee (2022-present)

o Chair – Texas Children’s Commission Virtual Bench Book Workgroup (2021-2022)

· Texas Access to Justice Commission, Commissioner (2021-present)

o Executive Committee (2023-present)

· Texas Bar Foundation, Life Sustaining Fellow (2018-present)

o Board Trustee (2024-present)

· SBOT Taskforce for Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Law, Member (2023-present)

· State Bar of Texas Court Rules Committee, Member (2022-present)

o Chair - Trial Subcommittee (2024-present)

· Judicial Committee on Information Technology, Member (2021-present), Liaison 2016-2021)

· Computer & Tech Section, State Bar of Texas, Judicial Liaison (2020-2024)

· National Center for State Courts' Hybrid Hearings Focus Group, Member (2022-2023)

· Remote Proceedings Task Force, Chair of Court Access Subcommittee (2021)

· Judicial Needs Assessment Committee, Member (2019-2021)

· OCA Uniform Case Management System Study Group, Member (2020)

· Judicial Section, State Bar of Texas (2015-2020), Director

· COVID-19 Specialty Court Judge (2020)

· Texas Judicial Council Civil Justice Committee’s Advisory Council, Member (2018)

· Champions of Justice Society, Texas Access to Justice Commission, Member

· Society of Legal Scholars, Texas Bar College, Member

· District 17 Grievance Committee, State Bar of Texas (2011-2012)

· General Practice Solo and Small Firm Section, State Bar of Texas

o Councilmember (2003-2016)

o Officer (2006-2014), Chair (2009-2010)

· Admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court (2006-present)

· Licensed – State Bar of Texas (1995-Present)

Honors, Awards, and Education

· 2025 ABA Legal Rebel Designee

· 2024 Dan Price Award Recipient, State Bar of Texas Family Law Section

· 2024 Robert R. Dawson Award Recipient, Texas Indigent Defense Commission

· 2024 Recipient of the Pat A. Nester Outstanding Achievement in CLE Award, Texas Bar College

· 2024 Exemplary Speaker, Texas Center for the Judiciary

· Lifetime Service Commendation – State Bar of Texas GPSOLO Section (2014)

· 2012 Lawyer of the Year –GPSOLO Section, State Bar of Texas

· Juris Doctorate of Law, St. Mary’s University School of Law, San Antonio, Texas (1994)

· Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington (1992)

Public Speaking and Articles

Judicial Education:

· 2025 (scheduled), Regional Judicial Conferences, Texas Center for the Judiciary, Speaker, “Practical Use of Artificial Intelligence in Texas Courts.”

· 2024, Regional Judicial Conferences, Texas Center for the Judiciary, Panelist, “Artificial Intelligence

and Texas Courts.

· 2024, Family Justice Conference, Texas Center for the Judiciary, Panelist, “Oh my! A.I.!”

· 2023, National Judicial College, Conference on Procedural Fairness, New York, Panelist/Presenter.

· 2022, Iowa Fall Judges Conference, Presenter, “Remote Court Operations: Judicial Ethics and Majesty.”

· 2022, Texas Annual Judicial Conference, Texas Center for the Judiciary, Presenter, “Child Support Guidelines:

Going… Going… GONE! The Role of Presumptions and Judicial Discretion in Setting Child Support.”

· 2022, M.I.N.K. Supreme Court Conference, Presenter, “Judicial Ethics and Access to Justice.”

· 2022, Kansas Municipal Judges Conference, Presenter, “Judicial Ethics.”

· 2022, Spring Regional Conferences, Texas Center for the Judiciary, Panelist, “Running a 21st Century

Court: Tools & Strategies”

· 2022, Criminal Justice Conference, Texas Center for the Judiciary, Panelist, “Docket Management

Going Forward.”

· 2021, Appellate Judges Education Institute Summit, Panelist, “Curse or Blessing: How to

Thrive Online Using Social Media in Today’s Legal World.”

· 2021, National Judicial College, Tennessee, Presenter, “Presiding Over Sovereign Citizens.”

· 2021, National Judicial College, Nebraska, Presenter, “Judicial Ethics in Virtual Hearings.”

· 2021, El Paso Council of Judges, Presenter, “Introduction to Virtual Trials.”

· 2020, National Judicial College, Panelist, “Virtual Court During a Pandemic: Platforms, Process, and

Procedure.”

· 2020, Illinois Judicial College Committee and Committee on Judicial Education, Panelist, “Conducting

Remote Hearings in Child Protection Cases.”

International Presentations:

· 2022, Hugh Wooding Law School, Trinidad & Tobego, Presenter, “Professional Etiquette, Dress and Conduct.”

· 2022, University of Toronto Mississauga, Presenter, “Judicial Career and Access to Justice.”

· 2021, Metro and City Judges’ Association of the Philippines, Presenter, “Judicial Etiquette and Decorum in

Online Hearings.”

· 2021, Court Watch, Poland, Panelist, “Justice Through the Internet.”

· 2021, Caribbean Association of Women Judges Biennial Meeting and Conference, UN Women, Presenter.

· 2021, NJC-NNIC International Leaders Program, Presenter, “Virtual Hearing Techniques.”

· 2021, Judicial Education Institute, Trinidad and Tobago, Master’s Orientation Programme, Presenter.

· 2020, National Judicial College, Panelist, “Lessons Learned from Around the World about the Court’s

Management of a Pandemic.”

Legal Education:

· 2025 (scheduled), Adv. Family Law Conference, Presenter, "Public Policy and Presumptions."

· 2025 (scheduled), South Texas Litigation Course, Presenter, "Cybersecurity, AI, and Digital Evidence."

· 2025 (scheduled), Adv. Evid and Discovery Conference, Panelist, "Common Evidentiary Mistakes."

· 2025, TAFLS 40th Annual Trial Institute, Presiding Judge.

· 2025, Adv. Employment Law Conference, "Rules, Procedures, and Preferred Practices with Technology in the Courtroom."

· 2024, Handling Your First (or Next) Deposition, Presenter, “What Can (and Can’t) I say? It's About Ethics!”

· 2024, Rural Court Coordinators’ Conference, “Social Media and Artificial Intelligence.”

· 2024, Adv. Family Law Conference, Presenter, “Dueling for Domicile.”

· 2024, Annual Court Professionals Conference, Texas Center for the Judiciary, Presenter, “Artificial Intelligence.”

· 2024, State Bar College Summer School, Panelist, “Application of Artificial Intelligence.”

· 2024, Adv. Civil Litigation Conference, Presenter, “How Practitioners Are Using A.I.”

· 2024, State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, Presenter, “Adaptable Lawyer: Ethics and A.I.”

· 2024, Court Professionals Conference, Texas Center for the Judiciary, Presenter, “AI Caramba! Transforming Justice with Artificial Intelligence.”

· 2024, Innovations: Breaking Boundaries in Child Custody Litigation, Panelist, “Geographic Restrictions.”

· 2024, Advanced Evidence and Discovery Conference, Panelist, “Staying Alive: A Guide to DISCO-vering the Art of Effective Motion Practice.”

· 2024, Artificial Intelligence Summit, Presenter/Leader.

· 2024, Litigation Update Institute, Panelist, “Judges’ Panel: Discovery and Evidence Update.”

· 2023, SBOT Annual Meeting, Presenter, Open Government, “Post-Pandemic Court Proceedings.”

· 2023, Texas Bar College Summer School, Presenter, “Family Law Legislative Update.”

· 2023, Adv. Family Law Conference, Presenter, “Child Support Guidelines: Going… Going… GONE! The Role

of Presumptions in Establishing Child Support,” and, “So You Have a Jury Trial, Now What?”

· 2023, Forum for Paralegals and Attorneys, Presenter, “Dos and Don’ts in the Courtroom.”

· 2023, DRI Product Liability Conference, Panelist, “Navigating the Prospects and Pitfalls of Virtual Hearings.”

· 2023, TAFLS 38thAnnual Trial Institute, Presiding Judge: Day 1 Mock Trial.

· 2022, Advanced Trial Skills for Family Lawyers, Presenter, “Preparing for the Unexpected.”

· 2022, Texas Association of Court Administrators, Presenter, “Ethics and Social Media.”

· 2022, NAPCO Trial Court Leadership Academy, California, Presenter, “Bridging the Digital Divide.”

· 2022, Adv. Family Law Conference, Panelist, “Unique Possession Orders and Interrelated Issues.”

· 2022, Innovations: Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation, Panelist, “The Child’s Voice.”

· 2022, Adv. Trial Strategies, Panelist, “The New Normal: Virtual Trials.”

· 2022, APBCo, Panelist, “How the Pandemic Changed Pro Bono.”

· 2022, Adv. Litigation Update Institute, Panelist, “Avoiding the Traps: Key Differences between State

and Federal Civil Procedure.”

· 2021, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, CA, Presenter, “The Cat’s Out of the Bag: The Do's and Don'ts of

Virtual Court Appearances.”

· 2021, Adv. Oil and Gas Resources Conf., Presenter, “What Can I say? It’s about Ethics.”

· 2021, Adv. Family Law Conference, Panelist, “Be the Better Advocate in Disputed Custody Cases.”

· 2021, Court Professionals Conference, Texas Center for the Judiciary, Panelist, “Communications with

the Court: Do’s and Don’ts.”

· 2021, Marriage Dissolution 101, Panelist, “Things (Some) Lawyers Do Very Well.”

· 2021, American Board of Trial Advocates, Virtual Advocacy Series, Presenter.

· 2021, American Bar Association Roundtable, Panelist, “Virtual Trials.”

· 2021, SBOT Annual Meeting, Panelist, “Back to the Future: Courtroom Technology.”

· 2021, TAFLS 36thAnnual Trial Institute, Presiding Judge: Day 2 Mock Trial.

· 2021, Texas Trial Lawyers’ Association, Car Wrecks Seminar, Panelist.

· 2021, Handling Your First (or Next) Divorce Case Conference, Panelist, “Top Evidentiary Issues - A

View from the Bench.”

· 2020, Vaccinating your Tech Tools for Practice in a Pandemic, Panelist, “Ethical Considerations

Practicing Remotely in a Pandemic.”

· 2020, Adv. Family Law Conference, Panelist, “Fly Me To the Moon – Effective Advocacy in

Relocation Cases.”

· 2020, Thomson Reuters Webinar, Panelist, “Virtual Courts: Challenges, Opportunities and What’s Next.

The Court’s Perspective.”

· 2020, State Bar College Summer School, Presenter, “Back to Basics of Civil Procedure.”

· 2020, National Center for State Courts, Panelist, “Lights, Camera, Motion!: Act II. Conducting

Effective Remote Hearings.”

· 2020, Texas Family Law Section CLE, Panelist, “Zoom Training for Family Lawyers.”

· 2020, Family Justice Conference, Texas Center for the Judiciary, “Controlling the Courtroom.”

· 2020, Texas Indigent Defense Commission Workshop, Panelist, “Rural Public Defenders.”

· 2019, Adv. Family Law Conference, Presenter, “Things (Some) Lawyers Do Very Well.”

· 2019, SBOT Webcast, Panelist, “When a Lie Isn’t a Lie: Dealing with False Testimony During Trial.”

· 2019, SBOT Annual Meeting, Presenter, “Simple Things Everyone Does Wrong.”

· 2019, Marriage Dissolution 101, Panelist, “Gearing Up: Pleadings.”

· 2019, Marriage Dissolution, Panelist, “When a Lie Isn’t a Lie: Dealing with False Testimony During Trial.”

· 2019, Adv. Evidence and Discovery Conference, Presenter, “Ethics in the Courtroom.”

· 2019, Presiding Judge, “State of Texas v. Kylo Ren – Mock Jury Selection.”

· 2019, Adv. Trial Skills for Family Lawyers, Presenter, “Trial on the Merits: Winning from the Beginning.”

· 2018, Adv. Family Law 101, Presenter, “Discovery: A View from Both Sides of the Bench.”

· 2018, Ector County Bar Association CLE, Presenter, “Simple Things that Everyone Does Wrong.”

· 2017, NM Defense Lawyers Association and West Texas TADC Joint Seminar, Presenter, “A View from the

Bench – Ethical and Effective Advocacy: What Works and What Doesn’t.”

· 2017, Texas A&M University School of Law, “Ethical and Effective Representation of Rural Communities.”

· 2017, Presiding Judge, “State of Texas v. Luke Skywalker – Mock Jury Selection.”

· 2016, Adv. Family Law Conference, Presenter, “Parental Alienation: What It Is and What It Isn’t.”

· 2016, SBOT Annual Meeting, Presenter, “Effective and Ethical Advocacy from the Judge’s Perspective.”

· 2016, Presiding Judge, State of Texas v. Harry Potter – Mock Jury Selection.”

· 2015, Adv. Family Law Conference, Presenter, “Judges’ Tech Tips.”

· 2015, Val Verde County Bar CLE, Presenter, “Effective Use of Courtroom Technology in Family Law.”

· 2015, SBOT Annual Meeting, Presenter, “Effective Advocacy – What Does and Doesn’t Work in the Courtroom

from a Judge’s Perspective.”

· 2015, American Legion District Convention, Keynote Presenter, “And Justice for All.”

· 2014, Family Law Technology Conference, Panelist, “What Judges Think Is (and Isn’t) Persuasive with

the Use of Technology in the Courtroom.”

· 2014, State of Texas Juvenile Probation Chief’s Conference, Presenter, “Sex, Violence and Video Games.”

· 2014, SBOT Annual Meeting, Presenter, “Practical and Ethical Impacts of In re Stephanie Lee, or: Who Will

Speak for the Children?”

· 2013, West of the Pecos Republican Women’s Association, Presenter, “Freedom of Speech is Under Attack!”

2012, SBOT Annual Meeting, Presenter, “Legal Ethics vs. Moral Compass.”

· 2011, SBOT Annual Meeting, Presenter, “Ethics and the Small Law Firm – That’s an Impact Tremor, That’s

What THAT is!”

· 2010, SBOT Annual Meeting, Presenter, “Recent Ethical Issues for the Solo and Small Firm Practitioner.”

· 2009, SBOT Annual Meeting, Presenter, “Hot Topics in Legal Ethics.”

· 2008, SBOT CLE, Presenter, “Ethics and the Small Law Firm.” (webcast)

· 2008, SBOT CLE, Presenter and Moderator, “Ethics and the Small Firm: Use of Technology in the Development

of a Successful and Profitable Practice.”

· 2008, SBOT Annual Meeting, Presenter, “Ethics and the Small Law Firm–Ten Hot Tips on Avoiding

Grievances.”

· 2007, SBOT Annual Meeting, Presenter, “Ethics and the Small Law Firm – Avoiding Grievances Through Early

2006, SBOT Annual Meeting, Author, Presenter/Moderator, “Panel Discussion on Legal Ethics.”

Legal Publications:

· 2024, ABA Young Lawyer Magazine, Spring Edition, Let’s Talk Lawyering, “Never Guarantee Outcomes to Legal Clients.”

· 2023, ABA Young Lawyer Magazine, Winter Edition, Let’s Talk Lawyering, “Handling Testimony of a Bad Faith Actor.”

· 2023, ABA Young Lawyer Magazine, Summer Edition, Let’s Talk Lawyering, “He Brought a Lawyer; She Brought Receipts.”

· 2023, ABA “The Best of Sections,” “Managing Grief: Death and Trauma in the Practice of Law.”

· 2023, ABA Experience Magazine, July Edition, “Managing Grief: Death and Trauma in the Practice of Law.”

· 2023, ABA Young Lawyer Magazine, Spring Edition, Let’s Talk Lawyering, “It Takes Strength to be Kind.”

· 2022, ABA Young Lawyer Magazine, Fall Edition, Let’s Talk Lawyering, “It’s a Career, Not a Contest.”

· 2022, ABA Young Lawyer Magazine, Summer Edition, Let’s Talk Lawyering, “You’re an Expert on What?”

· 2022, In Chambers Magazine, Spring Edition, “The Dinosaurs’ Perspective on the Meteor Strike: The Future of Court Technology.”

· 2022, ABA Young Lawyer Magazine, Spring Edition, Let’s Talk Lawyering, “Understanding the Hidden Importance of the Initial Consultation.”

· 2021, ABA “The Best of Sections,” “Viral in a Pandemic: Lawyercat and the Future of Remote

Proceedings.”

· 2021, ABA Experience Magazine, July Edition, “Viral in a Pandemic: Lawyercat and the Future of Remote

Proceedings.”

· 2021, ABA Student Magazine, Winter Edition, I Wish I’d Known, “Your Private Life Isn’t.”

· 2021, ABA Experience Magazine, “Viral in a Pandemic.”