District Judge Reed Charles O’Connor has been appointed as the new chief judge for the Northern District of Texas, effective August 18, 2025. This marks a significant milestone as O’Connor is the first judge based in Fort Worth to assume this role since 1972. His appointment has garnered attention, with legal experts noting the importance of Fort Worth within the Northern District.
Role and Responsibilities of the Chief Judge
The chief judge plays a crucial role in the administration of the court, focusing on case assignments and workload management rather than overseeing other judges. According to Bobby Ahdieh, dean of the Texas A&M School of Law, this responsibility is akin to that of a chief operating officer. O’Connor takes over from U.S. District Judge David Godbey, who stepped down after nearly three years in the position to transition to senior status.
The term of a chief judge typically spans seven years. The Northern District of Texas encompasses seven divisions across the north-central region of the state, with its primary court located in Dallas and additional divisions in Fort Worth, Amarillo, Abilene, Lubbock, San Angelo, and Wichita Falls.
Community Response and O’Connor’s Background
The legal community has welcomed O’Connor’s appointment. Dee Kelly Jr., a partner at Kelly Hart & Hallman, expressed that O’Connor’s new role is a well-deserved honor for a dedicated judge, emphasizing pride among those in the Tarrant County bar. Former U.S. Attorney Richard Roper, now a partner at Vartabedian Hester & Haynes, praised O’Connor for his strong work ethic and commitment to his duties, noting that this is evident every time he is in the courtroom.
O’Connor, 60, was nominated to the federal bench by former President George W. Bush in 2007. Prior to his judicial career, he served as a federal prosecutor in the Northern District of Texas for nine years and worked for four years as a prosecutor in the Tarrant County district attorney’s office. He has also held positions in Washington, D.C., serving as counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and chief counsel to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Citizenship.
Throughout his career, O’Connor has presided over a range of politically charged cases, including those related to the Affordable Care Act, gun control, and transgender rights. He has been involved in several notable lawsuits filed by the state of Texas against the federal government, making rulings that often align with the state’s positions.
His judicial portfolio also includes complex cases with international implications, such as the criminal proceedings against Boeing Co. linked to the 737 Max crashes. O’Connor, originally from Houston, holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and a law degree from the South Texas College of Law in Houston. Before becoming a judge, he practiced civil litigation for five years.
Since 2009, O’Connor has been a member of the Committee on the Judicial Branch of the Judicial Conference of the United States, the policymaking body for the federal judiciary. He resides in Fort Worth with his wife, Tammy Herrin, and they have two grown daughters.
