Umeka “UA” Lewis – Website – Facebook – Off the Kuff
Christian Menefee – Website – Facebook – Off the Kuff – Houston Chronicle
I have heard Mr. Menefee and certainly feel that he has been an improvement over the former County Attorney. I supported him when he first ran and believe that his kept his word as to what he would work toward. However, Ms. Lewis makes a good argument as to why she should be considered.
Meanwhile, I will continue to vote for Menefee. Both candidates are capable of running the County Attorney’s office.
When someone is challenging an incumbent, I like to know why they are running. Ms. Lewis certainly tells us why she is challenging Mr. Menefee.
From her website;
I have decided to run for Harris County County Attorney because I have found it disheartening that no substantial changes have been implemented since the former County Attorney Vince Ryan’s departure, in 2021. The County Attorney’s office has been fervently advocating for qualified immunity which denies justice for people who’s constitutional rights have been violated, a stance that has only intensified since 2021.
There is also a distressing trend by the Harris County Attorney’s office of the double victimization against Harris County citizens, whom the county has already wronged, and it is a cause for concern. Even straightforward incidents like car crashes involving county employees turn into battles instead of being amicably resolved quickly. This does not even consider the avoidable crashes resulting from dangerous police chases.
The routine denial of open records requests and attempts to hinder transparency are also troubling to me. Families are being barred access to autopsy reports of their loved ones and have had to wait years to find out the details of their deaths under the guise of a criminal investigation. This is unacceptable. The office has even gone to the extent of filing lawsuits to prevent the release of public records. Harris County has not shown the same zeal in filing lawsuits against those who have violated the rights of Harris County citizens. Those who exploit consumers, environmental violators, and many other issues are going unchecked. The office may be ill-equipped but this is a task outside plaintiff’s counsel can easily undertake, and I know and have worked with the best Plaintiff’s lawyers.
LAW SCHOOL
| School Degree earned | Graduation Date |
|---|---|
| Texas Southern University Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.) | 05/2010 |
PUBLIC DISCIPLINARY HISTORY
State Bar of Texas
No Public Disciplinary History
Other States
None Reported By Attorney
COURTS OF ADMITTANCE
Federal:
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
Texas Eastern Bankruptcy Court
Texas Eastern District Court
Texas Southern District/Bankruptcy Court
Texas Western Bankruptcy Court
Texas Western District Court
Texas Southern District Court
Texas Southern Bankruptcy Court
LAW SCHOOL
| School Degree earned | Graduation Date |
|---|---|
| Washington University Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.) | 05/2013 |
PUBLIC DISCIPLINARY HISTORY
State Bar of Texas
No Public Disciplinary History
Other States
None Reported By Attorney
Below is the title to an interview with Mr. Menefee;
Deep in the Heart of Texas, an Uphill Fight for Clean Air for All
Christian Menefee, the first Black person to serve as Harris County Attorney, has deep roots in Houston’s notoriously polluted Fifth Ward. Now, as he pushes oil and gas companies and other industries to clean up their operations, he finds the state of Texas standing in the way.
From the Houston Chronicle: When they endorsed 2020.
You can’t just come in with ideas,” said Menefee, a Houston native who is a litigator with Kirkland & Ellis. “You need to come in with stuff that you know is going to work.”
That kind of energy, attention to detail and determination to make the county attorney office as effective as possible earn Menefee our endorsement. We also recommended him in the primary, noting his commitment to expanding the office’s environmental law section, which currently has four full-time lawyers.
In addition to the bread-and-butter work of representing elected officials, local entities and county employees, Menefee said he wants the office to bring more impact litigation to “hold polluters accountable.”
Menefee, who has not held public office, served as an intern in the Harris County Public Defender’s office and began his legal practice at Norton Rose Fulbright. He has worked with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Texas Appleseed, and served on the Houston Independent Police Advisory Board.