JUDGE JULI MATHEW: Championing Justice and Empowering Communities

As an immigrant child witnessing her father’s struggles with legal complexities, Honorable Juli Mathew was determined to help shape the future of justice. Today, she serves as the Presiding Judge of County Court at Law 3 in Fort Bend County, Texas, making history—not once, but twice—as the first Indian American woman elected to the bench in the United States and the first Asian American woman elected in Fort Bend County. But her path to the bench was far from conventional.

“I never wanted to be a judge, never thought about being a judge, had no interest in being a judge,” she admitted. Yet, life had other plans. With a heart for justice and a calling that wouldn’t be ignored, she took a leap of faith—one that required sacrifice, perseverance, and a commitment to serving her community.

Defying expectations, Judge Mathew stepped into the unknown, proving that leadership is not about titles but about service. In this exclusive VBD Magazine feature, she shares her journey from Kerala, India, to the Texas courtroom, the challenges she overcame, and the faith that keeps her anchored in the face of adversity. She also discusses her passion for justice, the programs she has pioneered, and her mission to create lasting change.

A Calling Shaped By Experience

Born in Kerala, India, Judge Mathew spent her early childhood immersed in the rich traditions of her homeland before immigrating to the United States at age ten. Her family settled in Chicago, but the harsh winters prompted a move to Philadelphia, where her father ran a gas station. It was there that she witnessed firsthand the power—and danger—of legal knowledge.

Her father’s business partner, a man with legal training, manipulated contracts and finances, leaving our family struggling to stay afloat. “He had gone to law school, so he knew a lot of the laws and things of that nature,” Judge Mathew recalled. “My dad didn’t know what to do. I saw a lot of confusion and chaos in my home, and I thought to myself, if I know the law, there’s no way somebody can take advantage of me.”

That conviction led her to pursue a career in law, earning her undergraduate degree from Penn State University and her Juris Doctorate from Delaware Law School.

A Reluctant Path to the Bench

Even with years of legal experience under her belt, Judge Mathew never envisioned herself as a judge, until others started encouraging her to run. In Texas, county judgeships are elected positions, and community leaders saw her as a strong candidate.