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 Bell’s term will run 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 is involved with several professional organizations, including being a member and past president of the Fort Bend County Bar Association, a member of 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 served as past president and board member of the Exchange Club of Sugar Land and is active at Bridge Fellowship Church.
Bell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Southwestern University and earned 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.”
