Judge Michelle Slaughter, with over a decade of service as a trial and appellate judge, is a highly accomplished and sought-after attorney with an exceptional track record of success in a wide variety of civil litigation matters and appellate law.
With over 20 years of legal experience, Judge Slaughter is the trusted choice for businesses and high-net-worth individuals seeking superior legal representation. Her distinguished career has cemented her reputation as a brilliant strategist, formidable litigator, and influential legal leader across Texas.
Before her tenure as a trial judge and as an appellate judge at the highest state level, Judge Slaughter honed her litigation skills at two large international law firms, where she represented Fortune 500 companies in complex commercial litigation, labor and employment law, trade secrets, non-compete agreements, bankruptcy, energy litigation, construction litigation, and complex contract disputes. She served as the exclusive attorney for a highly regarded court-appointed receiver, managing multifaceted legal challenges with precision and skill. Recognized for her exceptional work, Judge Slaughter was honored as a Rising Star by the Super Lawyers edition of Texas Monthly, a distinction reserved for fewer than 2.5% of Texas attorneys.
After several years in Big Law, Judge Slaughter founded and managed her own highly successful, multi-attorney law practice where she continued to deliver outstanding results for her clients. She excelled in a wide variety of civil and appellate litigation and broadened her practice areas to include matters involving international law, energy litigation, and real estate disputes. In her law practice, Judge Slaughter tried cases to judges and juries at all levels of state court and in federal district courts. She also handled appeals in both state and federal appellate courts.
In addition to her litigation practice, Judge Slaughter is a certified mediator through the A.A. White Dispute Resolution Center. She has mediated dozens of civil matters and as an attorney, was a go-to mediator for several judges making court appointments.
In 2012, Judge Slaughter was elected as judge of the 405th District Court of Galveston County. During her six years on this bench, Judge Slaughter presided over thousands of civil and criminal cases, including more than 100 bench and jury trials. Despite inheriting a significant backlog, she transformed her court into the most efficient and effective in the county, achieving the lowest backlog within two years.
After six years as a district judge, Judge Slaughter was elected statewide to one of Texas’ two highest appellate courts, the Court of Criminal Appeals, which is the sister court and equal to the Texas Supreme Court. In the November 2018 general election, Judge Slaughter earned over 4.9 million votes, the most votes of any contested candidate in Texas and the second highest in the nation. That successful campaign demonstrates Judge Slaughter’s ability to connect with individuals across all walks of life which in turn underscores her communication skills, leadership, and relatability – critical skills for winning over judges and juries in the courtroom.
While on the appellate court, Judge Slaughter authored more than 100 legal opinions, many of which serve as legal precedent that must be followed by attorneys and judges across Texas. Such matters include complex statutory interpretation, procedural errors, jury charge matters, sufficiency of the evidence, and constitutional issues.
In her last campaign, Judge Slaughter’s judicial accomplishments and widespread reputation for integrity were widely praised by major media outlets, including the Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News, and San Antonio Express-News. She earned endorsements from numerous prominent individuals and groups, including former Governor Rick Perry, other statewide-elected officials, state senators, congressmen, dozens of state representatives, and almost every Galveston County elected official.
Judge Slaughter earned her B.A. from the University of Houston, magna cum laude, and her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center, cum laude (top 15%). In law school, she was President of the Hispanic Law Students Association, a member of the Houston Journal of International Law, an award-winning moot court member, and a judicial intern for two federal district judges and the Texas First Court of Appeals.
In addition to her love of our justice system, Judge Slaughter loves giving back to her community and paying it forward. She is an adjunct professor at Baylor Law School, where she shares her legal expertise with the next generation of attorneys. She serves on the board of Adria Women’s Health, a pregnancy center in Texas City, and is a proud supporter of Future Farmers of America (FFA), Clear Springs High School Theatre Booster Club, Galveston County Fair & Rodeo, and several other community organizations. Her civic engagement has included involvement with the Rotary Club, where she was inducted as a Paul Harris Fellow, and the Lions Club, where she received the Key Award. Judge Slaughter is also an active member of her church, CityMark Church in League City.
Judge Slaughter has also served as an expert presenter for continuing judicial education and continuing legal education to teach and train other judges and attorneys. In May 2024, she traveled to Mongolia as part of a legal delegation to train Mongolian judges and attorneys on a variety of topics.
Outside of her legal career, Judge Slaughter enjoys spending time with her husband, Ed Walsh, a NASA engineer, and their two teenage daughters, Hazel and Laila. The family lives in League City, Texas, with their two German Shepherds, Pixie and Luna, and their rescue cat, Sal.
Before her legal career, Judge Slaughter worked in Hollywood in the TV and film industry, where she served as a producer, trainee assistant director, and part of the art department on Arlington Road. She was also Sandra Bullock’s photo double in Hope Floats! Judge Slaughter’s unique background makes her memorable to all who encounter her which is yet another benefit to her clients.
Judge Slaughter’s unparalleled experience, widespread exceptional reputation among trial and appellate judges and elected leaders across Texas, and her unwavering commitment to excellence makes her the superior choice as your counsel. Whether facing complex litigation or appellate challenges, Judge Slaughter is the attorney you need on your side.