Sarah Beth Landau

Qualifications: What characteristics and experience qualify you to serve as a justice?

My practice was very broad. A federal clerkship, then complex civil work, then criminal trials and appeals. I've represented all from Fortune 500 corporations to people who couldn't afford a lawyer.

Ethics: Since judicial candidates solicit donations and raise money to be elected, how can voters be assured that campaign donations will not impact how judges interpret the law and review lower court decisions?

There is no guarantee, but it helps to vote for people with public service experience. I do not accept money from corporations, special interests, or law firms, just people. Judicial independence (not being beholden to another branch of government, special interests, or donors) is something we should support. Look to see if judges recuse themselves when there is the appearance of impropriety.

Judicial Elections: How would the administration of justice be impacted if judges ran in nonpartisan races?

In an ideal world, I think we would have nonpartisan races, but voters have so little information as it is, taking away one more piece hurts. Judges are very limited in what they can say, so it would be hard to know what the judge stands for. Based on my experience, judges don't let partisan affiliation affect the administration of justice but I think it's hard to switch hats in campaign season.

Equity: What can be done to improve access to justice for all, including persons or groups who may be underserved?

I think increasing the diversity of people who become lawyers, especially first generation lawyers, helps. We also need a centralized clearinghouse for legal help, like what the Robert W. Hainsworth law library does but have a law student who matchmakes people who need help with the clinic/pro bono lawyer/nonprofit that can provide legal services. Having a dedicated person helps with access.

Court System: What effect will the new business court and statewide court of appeals have on the administration of justice in Texas?

The new courts will siphon off work from the courts already handling those cases while making those judges less responsive to the public because they are elected statewide instead of locally. For cases that used to be handled by the local courts of appeals, those litigants now have to travel to Austin instead of having their cases heard locally.