Collin County Judges’ Statewide Service to the Bar
Beyond their courtrooms, Collin County’s judiciary dedicates countless hours to service across the state of Texas. Through this statewide engagement, they collaborate with judges and practitioners from all over Texas to help expand access to justice and improve the practice of law every day for both litigants and attorneys.
199th District Court — Judge Angela Tucker
Judge Angela Tucker currently serves as Secretary of the Judicial Advisory Council (JAC). The JAC serves as a critical link between the judiciary, the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Community Justice Assistance Division. The Council plays an essential role in ensuring that the community justice system in Texas remains effective and responsive to the needs of both the judiciary and the public.
In addition, Judge Tucker serves on the Specialty Courts Advisory Council, which evaluates grant applications for specialty courts submitted to the Governor’s Office and makes funding recommendations to the criminal justice division regarding best practices. She also serves as the Chair of the Curriculum Committee for the Texas Center for the Judiciary.
296th District Court — Judge John Roach
Judge John Roach serves as the presiding judge for the VALOR Program (Veterans Accessing Lifelong Opportunities for Rehabilitation), a statewide rehabilitation program for justice-involved veterans in Texas. Created and based in Collin County, VALOR is an in-custody treatment and rehabilitation program designed for veterans facing probation revocations or incarceration who require intensive mental health and substance abuse treatment.
The program accepts veterans from across Texas and provides structured, veteran-specific treatment, counseling, life skills training, and reintegration services. VALOR operates through a collaborative partnership between the North Texas Regional Veterans Court, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Collin County Community Supervision and Corrections Department. To date, 47 Texas counties have utilized VALOR to assist justice-involved veterans.
366th District Court — Judge Tom Nowak
Judge Tom Nowak currently serves as a member of the Judicial Advisory Council (JAC). The JAC serves as a critical link between the judiciary, the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Community Justice Assistance Division. The Council plays an essential role in ensuring that the community justice system in Texas remains effective and responsive to the needs of both the judiciary and the public.
416th District Court — Judge Andrea Thompson
Judge Andrea Thompson currently serves on the Texas Access to Justice Commission Technology Committee, which focuses on improving the use of technology to expand access to legal services for underserved populations in Texas.
417th District Court — Judge Cyndi Wheless
Judge Cyndi Wheless serves as a Commissioner on the Judicial Commission on Mental Health (JCMH), created in 2018 by a joint order of the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The Commission develops, implements, and coordinates policy initiatives designed to improve the courts’ interaction with—and the administration of justice for—children, adults, and families with mental health needs.
In addition, Judge Wheless serves on the Governing Board of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and chairs the Juvenile Justice Subcommittee of the Children’s Commission, which works to strengthen courts serving children, youth, and families in the Texas child welfare system to promote safety, permanency, and well-being. She also serves this year on the Texas Center for the Judiciary (TCJ) Nominations Committee for the incoming Board of Judges.
469th District Court — Judge Piper McCraw
Judge Piper McCraw serves as a member of the National CASA/GAL Judicial Leadership Council. The Council works to strengthen relationships between judicial officers and National CASA/GAL, state, and local CASA programs, and provides recommendations on engaging the judiciary in the development and expansion of CASA/GAL programs nationwide.
In addition, Judge McCraw serves as a Jurist in Residence and Chair of the Training Committee for the Texas Children’s Commission. Established by the Texas Supreme Court in 2007, the Children’s Commission works to strengthen the child welfare system by increasing public awareness of challenges facing children, youth, and families, supporting best judicial practices through training and education, and informing policy and practice affecting child welfare in Texas.
470th District Court — Judge Brook Fulks
Judge Brook Fulks serves on the State Bar of Texas Legal Services to the Poor in Civil Matters Committee and previously served on the Local Bar Services Committee. The committee focuses on developing and implementing programs—such as legal aid and pro bono initiatives—to ensure legal services are available to individuals who cannot afford counsel in civil matters.
493rd District Court — Judge Christine Nowak
Judge Christine Nowak serves as the Region 1 Representative for the Texas Association of District Judges (TADJ), a statewide organization dedicated to protecting the legislative interests of Texas district judges and promoting a fair and effective state justice system. The organization works to improve the quality of justice administered in Texas district courts.
County Court at Law No. 1 — Judge Corinne Mason
Judge Corinne Mason serves on the Administrative Judicial Region Budget Committee. As the Region 1 Representative, Judge Mason annually reviews the budget proposal prepared by the region’s Presiding Administrative Judge.
County Court at Law No. 5 — Judge Randy Johnson
Judge Randy Johnson has served since 2020 as a State Bar of Texas appointee to the Pattern Jury Charges Committee for General Negligence, Intentional Personal Torts, and Workers’ Compensation. Pattern jury charges are an essential component of Texas trial practice, assisting the bench and bar in preparing jury charges and promoting clear, accurate, and practical submissions for common issues arising in Texas courts.