Judicial
Profiles
by Perry J. Cockerell
T
arrant County has two full-time associate probate judges who handle overflow cases from its two statutory probate courts. The associate judge positions began as part-time positions in 2003 and became full-time positions in 2008 because of increased probate filings in Tarrant County since the turn of the century. The associate judges handle the same kinds of proceedings as the probate courts, including contested jury trials if the parties agree to waive their appeal to the probate court. The statutes governing associate judges for statutory probate courts are in the Government Code, §§ 54A.201 et seq. Judge G. Quentin McGown IV is the associate judge for Probate Court Number 1, which is presided over by Judge Steve M. King. Judge Lin Morrisett is the associate judge for Probate Court Number 2, which is presided over by Judge Patrick Ferchill. The associate judges serve at the discretion of the probate judges.
Associate Judge G. Quentin McGown IV George Quentin McGown IV is a fourth-generation Fort Worth attorney and a sixth-generation Texan. His great-grandfather, George Q. McGown Sr., opened his practice in 1896 after studying the law and apprenticing. He eventually brought two of his sons, H.T. and George Q. Jr., into the practice before expanding into one of the largest firms in the city, including partners Berl Godfrey, Harry Logan, and Robert W Decker, and many others. The firm carried the McGown name until 1978, when George Q. Jr. died. Judge McGown was born in Austin, Texas, while his father was attending law school at the University of Texas. After his father graduated from law school in 1960, his family returned to Fort Worth and settled in the Ridglea section of the city. He attended Fort Worth Country Day School from its inception in 1963 until he graduated in 1974. After Country Day, he left for the College of Charleston in South Carolina for three years, returning to Fort Worth to finish his senior year at Texas Wesleyan University in 1979, graduating with a B.A. in theater and a minor in history. He spent the next ten years in some form of show business, performing on area stages, including Stage West,
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Fort Worth Theatre, the Granbury Opera House, and the former Dallas Repertory Theatre. His love of history led him to serve as an early director of Thistle Hill and to chair the Tarrant County Historical Commission. He served on the staff of the Texas 1986 Sesquicentennial Commission before taking on the job of General Manager of the Sesquicentennial Wagon Train and its six-month, 3,000 mile historic journey around the state. Returning home, he directed the Chisholm Trail Round-up in the Stockyards and the Arts Council’s First Night Fort Worth celebration. In 1990 he became the Alumni Director at Texas Wesleyan University and later was in charge of gift planning. Then, in 1996, he decided to follow his long family lineage in law and enrolled in Texas Wesleyan’s newly acquired law school. After graduation in 2000, he took on the role of University Counsel and Assistant to the President. He entered into private practice in 2003, focusing on education, historic preservation, family, and probate law. In 2005, Judge Steve M. King selected him as associate judge for Probate Court Number 1. “The need for the two associate judges is great because of the increase in probate filings, particularly in mental health, where the docket seems to be growing exponentially. The filings have almost doubled in recent years because the county is growing so fast. There are well over 3,800 filings a year,” Judge McGown said. These cases are defended by court-appointed attorneys selected by the court based on their expertise and skill in working with patients. Hearings are held at John Peter Smith Hospital every Monday and Thursday. On Tuesday afternoons, both courts handle recommitment hearings by video conferences that save the county thousands of dollars. As far as the way Judge McGown likes his court to run, “I’m old-fashioned. I grew up around too many attorneys. I have strong adherence to the old rules and appreciate the way we can all still work together in Tarrant County. I won’t tolerate rudeness.” For new attorneys interested in probate law, the judge advised that they be prepared. Anyone wishing to serve must participate in a “boot camp” for new ad litem attorneys, during which Judge King provides invaluable practice information for all areas that they will work in. His advice to any new attorney is to “come to court and introduce yourself. If there is any interest, then there is a clear path to get involved, and there’s no shortage of work.” Quentin and his wife, Laurie McGown, will celebrate their 33rd wedding anniversary this year. continued on page 10