Judge Lisa Michalk is running for re-election in the 221st District Court on March 1, 2022. She first ran for this office in 2010, was reelected in 2014 and 2018, and is now running for her fourth term on the bench.

Efficiency

“Justice delayed is justice denied” is a phrase that describes Judge Michalk’s philosophy: everyone is entitled to a fair trial, and it is in the best interest of all parties to allow that trial to happen within a reasonable amount of time. Judge Michalk’s staff works hard to stay efficient by limiting resets on both sides of each case.

Efficient work has allowed Judge Michalk to hear more than 200 jury trials and handle more than 10,000 felony defendants during her 11 years of service on the bench.

Effectiveness

The 221st District Court handles only criminal cases and is becoming more effective at managing a larger caseload with each passing year. The population in Montgomery County is now more than 600,000 and with it comes additional burden on the court system that requires the 221st to be more specialized.

As a tireless student of the law, Judge Michalk serves as Vice-Chair of the Criminal Justice Council of the State Bar of Texas. She is a five-year member of this organization and has served as a featured presenter on topics such as criminal law, evidence, ethics, and search and seizure.

Integrity

Judge Michalk has always treated others in the courtroom with fairness and respect — working first as a prosecutor, then defense attorney, and now as a Judge. Judge Michalk works carefully to uphold the laws of the State of Texas in adherence to the civil, moral, and ethical principals with which they were written.

COMMUNITY

Judge Michalk is an active community supporter and advocate outside the courtroom. Here are some of the ways she has served the citizens of the state of Texas and Montgomery County:

• Frequent speaker for National Charity League (NCL), Leadership Montgomery County (LMC) and local organizations on internet safety and legal issues affecting minors

• Currently handles Mental Health Court and the Felony Domestic Violence Specialty Court for violent offenders who are charged with domestic violence

• Mentors numerous students either attending law school or planning to attend law school

• Allows school classes to view trials, dockets and hearings

• Helped to develop the first Mental Health diversion court for Montgomery County defendants with mental illness

• Served on the launch team of the Veteran's Court in Montgomery County, modeled after the Harris County program

• Served on the launch team of Children's Safe Harbor and the Montgomery County Children's Assessment Center as a young prosecutor

FAMILY

Judge Michalk is a native of Houston, Texas, earning her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in College Station and her law degree from Texas Tech University. She resides in The Woodlands with Dan, her husband of 28 years. She is the mother of three grown boys.