Christian D. Menefee

What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you for this position?

As the current Harris County Attorney, I
manage an office of 300 attorneys and staff who represent the
county, its 60 elected officials, and its 18,000+ employees in
all civil matters and lawsuits. For my work in this role, I have
been awarded the Houston Lawyers Association’s 2023 Judge
Kenneth M. Hoyt Public Service Award. I previously practiced
at Kirkland & Ellis and Norton Rose Fulbright, focusing on
commercial litigation, corporate bankruptcies, and matters
before the US DOJ and SEC.

What are your top priorities?

Protecting elections and voter rights: My office has led the charge to protect Harris County’s election results from election contests by losing candidates and from lawsuits filed by the Texas Attorney General.
Environmental Justice: My office has been a leader in the fight for environmental justice, using lawsuits and other legal proceedings to further the cause of ensuring every resident breathes clear air and drinks clean water.

How will you ensure that the Harris County Attorney’s Office will effectively enforce environmental laws and regulations, such as those related to pollution and hazardous waste?

Industry in Harris County has repeatedly put polluting facilities in lower-income neighborhoods, making them bear the brunt of the impacts of manufacturing and production. I routinely sound the alarm on TCEQ’s failure to enforce state laws on pollution. My office regularly sues polluters for Clean Air Act violations and opposes pollution permit applications, and we've led major environmental disputes to ensure clean air and water for all. I'm committed to continuing this work in my second term.