James D. Lucas Admonished

James D. Lucas, associate judge of the 388th District Court in El Paso, Texas, was publicly admonished by the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct for continuing to practice law after taking office, in violation of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct. Lucas was sworn in as associate district judge on January 1, 2021, after working in private practice representing clients in civil and criminal matters in both trial and appellate courts. He failed to withdraw as attorney of record in at least six cases pending before the Eighth Court of Appeals until the appellate court itself ordered him to do so in June 2021 -- nearly six months after he became a judge.