Warren Oliver Waterman has been practicing law in Texas for 25+ years and is in private practice in Williamson County. Brandy Byrd Hallford has been an attorney in Williamson County for more than 21 years and is currently in private practice in Williamson County. The Advocate invited them to respond to our “apples-to-apples” survey
to educate voters on the candidates for the Republican primary March 6, 2018.
Warren Waterman
Please describe the legal education and experience you believe qualifies you to be judge.
I received my Juris Doctor degree from the Texas Tech University School of Law in December of 1992 and was licensed by the Supreme Court of the State of Texas in May of 1993. In my nearly 25 years of law practice I have handled over 20,000 cases and tried more than 100 jury trials to verdict. I served as the Chief Juvenile Prosecutor and have also served in the Criminal and Family Justice Divisions. I was also the DWI/Drug Court Prosecutor for 3 ½ years while maintaining my other duties. I have over 6 years experience as a Criminal and Juvenile Defense Attorney. I have extensive jury trial experience representing the State of Texas and in representing individuals accused of crimes. There are two tables in every courtroom and I have sat at both. This experience is what qualifies me to sit on the Bench that faces those tables.
In your experience, have you found our justice system to effective? What makes it so or what changes would you advocate?
My experiences with our justice system over the past 24 plus years has shown me that there can be a wide range of effectiveness. To be effective requires that all involved live up to their professional obligations. Prosecutors have a duty to see that justice is done. Defense Lawyers must protect the rights of, and advocate for, their clients, and Judges must ensure that the Constitution and laws are upheld and that proper procedure is followed.
While not common, I have seen failures in all three. Williamson County itself has some very notable examples of miscarriages of justice. Our system is the best in the world but it is not perfect. We, as participants in the system, should always strive to make it so.
What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishment?
My greatest professional accomplishment came from my representation of a juvenile member of a gang. In our very first meeting he admitted to me while he had committed numerous offenses, he was not guilty of the serious crime of which he stood accused.
I got to know him well over the next few months and I once told him that even if we won he would likely find himself in a similar circumstance unless he changed his ways. I took his case to trial and won, but that is not why his case was my greatest accomplishment.
It is because, when the jury returned a verdict in his favor, he wept. I knew at that moment that he could be saved. To his credit and with God’s help he was able to leave his gang. He had all his tattoos removed and turned his life around. He is now a successful licensed electrician and married father of three with whom I still keep in touch.
How do you deal with difficult people, including peers, lawyers, clients or litigants?
I have learned that people who are difficult to deal with are often that way because they feel that they are not being heard. If given the opportunity to explain their frustration, and know that others are listening, they will usually calm down and be able to listen to reason. Patience and empathy for the individual are key.
Why should voters support you?
Voters should support me because I have the experience and temperament necessary to be the next Judge of County Court at law # 1. My record as a prosecutor for the specialty DWI/Drug Court shows that I know how recidivism can be reduced in our community. For more information about me please visit my website
Please describe the legal education and experience you believe qualifies you to be judge.
I am a graduate of The University of Texas, and St. Mary’s School of Law. My father taught me that you have to work in the trenches before you can truly understand a job. During my 21 years of law practice, I have gained experience in every area of law this court oversees, I have handled thousands of cases, and have extensive jury trial experience. I committed half my career as a prosecutor defending victims. My private law practice focuses on representing abused children, Veterans, criminal and family law matters. As a trial attorney, I have studied the law and successfully conveyed it to a jury. I have a solid foundation in the rules of evidence which is vital to making just and fair rulings. My broad range of legal experience and conservative values have given me the tools needed to follow the law and effectively serve. I understand the people, issues and needs of this court.
In your experience, have you found our justice system to effective? What makes it so or what changes would you advocate?
I have found our system of justice to be effective. During the last decade, the justice system has been developing treatment courts which focus on giving individuals professional mental health/substance abuse treatment through court monitoring. The success of the treatment courts translates directly to increasing public safety. When these courts are presided over properly, the recidivism rate drops substantially. I have represented many Veterans whose charges are connected to their military duty, and I have seen the positive results of providing treatment. Williamson County currently has a successful Veterans’ Treatment Court. However, with the growth of our County, Veterans are on waiting lists to get admitted into the program. I would advocate for an additional Veterans’ Treatment Court to allow our Veterans to receive treatment without delay.
What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishment?
During my legal career, I have had the honor of being the community’s voice by prosecuting crime, I served as the Williamson County Attorney’s Office Criminal Division Chief; I represented and stood by individuals when they were going through a divorce; I served as the First Open Government Prosecutor for Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, and I have written and argued legal appeals. However, I consider my greatest professional accomplishment representing abused and neglected children. I am one of very few attorneys in Williamson County who has received special training to represent children in Child Protective Services’ cases. I have dedicated my career to being their voice and attorney. Over the years, I have represented over 150 children of all ages with different needs and have advocated for their safety and proper care.
How do you deal with difficult people, including peers, lawyers, clients or litigants?
I previously served as the Criminal Division Chief at the Williamson County Attorney’s Office where I obtained management experience. I managed the attorneys and staff and worked closely with law enforcement and county officials. Through my management experience and being a litigating attorney for 21 years, I have learned that the judge sets the tone in the courtroom, and the best ones are those who treat people with respect. Judges have to make hard decisions daily. When people have been heard, treated with respect and the law has been followed, they are better able to accept the outcome. I am dedicated to bringing a respectful temperament to the bench.
Why should voters support you?
My extensive legal experience has fully prepared me to be the judge of this court which handles criminal, family and half of the Child Protective Services’ (CPS) cases. I have been a litigating attorney throughout my 21-year legal career gaining experience on both sides of a case which gives me a well-rounded perspective on the law and the needs of people. I have been a prosecutor and defense attorney, represented individuals in family law matters and represented the State, parents and children in CPS’ cases. It is important to understand the law and the CPS’ system. I have done the hard work in this area. I have been to the children’s foster homes/residential treatment centers, worked with their caseworkers, physicians, therapists and teachers. I have dedicated my career to representing abused and neglected children who are vulnerable, and I understand how a judge’s rulings impact their lives.
