Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Richard “Rick” Bell as Judge of the 501st Judicial District Court in Fort Bend County. The appointment will take effect on December 1, 2025, and will last until December 31, 2026, or until a successor is elected and qualified.
Bell currently serves as the associate district judge in the 387th District Court. He has been active in legal organizations, including serving as a member and past president of the Fort Bend County Bar Association. He is also involved with the Family Bar of Fort Bend, American Inns of Court, and the State Bar of Texas and its family law section.
In addition to his legal work, Bell has held leadership roles outside the judiciary. He is a past president and board member of the Exchange Club of Sugar Land and is a member of Bridge Fellowship Church.
Bell earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business from Southwestern University and received his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law Houston.
“Governor Greg Abbott appointed Richard ‘Rick’ Bell as Judge of the 501st Judicial District Court in Fort Bend County, effective December 1, 2025, for a term set to expire December 31, 2026, or until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified.”
