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Texas Judge Julie Kocurek to receive William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence
Williamsburg, Va. (Oct. 18, 2024) – Texas District Court Judge Julie Kocurek has been named the recipient of the 29th Annual William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence presented by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC).
One of the highest judicial recognitions in the country, the Rehnquist award honors a state court judge who demonstrates the outstanding qualities of judicial excellence, including integrity, fairness, open-mindedness, knowledge of the law, professional ethics, creativity, sound judgment, courage and decisiveness.
In 2015, Judge Kocurek was shot four times by a defendant who had previously appeared before her. She was hospitalized for 40 days and returned to work several months after the attack. The Judge Julie Kocurek Courthouse Security Act was passed by the Texas Legislature in 2017, providing for the protection of judges’ personal information and stronger courthouse security.
“Judge Kocurek has overcome a life-changing event that no judge should ever have to endure,” said NCSC President Mary C. McQueen. “After an attempt on her life nine years ago, Judge Kocurek courageously returned to the bench and continued to excel in her duties. She has also used her lived experience to advocate for increased security for judicial officers in Texas and across the country.”
Judge Kocurek will receive the Rehnquist award from Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts, Jr., during an event at the Supreme Court of the United States in November.
On May 22, Judge Kocurek was among the judicial leaders who spoke on Capitol Hill in support of the Countering Threats and Attacks on our Judges Act (S. 3984/H.R. 8093). The bill passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent on June 12.
“For over 25 years, Julie Kocurek has served the people of Texas as a district judge, faithfully administering the law as one of the state’s best judges,” wrote Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht of the Texas Supreme Court. “For more than eight of those years, her service has been at enormous personal, physical, emotional and family sacrifice … Retelling, reliving her story is hard for her and her family, but it commands attention. Attacks on judges and courts are attacks on the rule of law and threaten the integrity of the justice system. Judge Kocurek has taken bold steps to strengthen the judiciary in Texas and the nation.”
Judge Kocurek, born in Dayton, Texas was appointed to Texas’ 390th Criminal District Court in Austin in 1999. Judge Kocurek has presided over felony criminal cases for the last 25 years and is board certified in criminal law. She served as the presiding administrative judge of Travis County Criminal Courts for four years and led efforts to ensure fair representation for indigent defendants and launched the county’s first felony mental health court.
Judge Kocurek’s contributions to the legal and local community include service with the Travis County Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, Calvert Inns of Court, Texas Association of District Judges, Do the Right Thing, Helping Hand Home, and Dell Seton Medical Center and numerous other organizations.
Judge Kocurek is a graduate of St. Mary’s University School of Law and the University of Texas in Austin.