Hon. Elizabeth “Peach” Ray
President
Houston ABOTA is made up of equal parts of both defense and plaintiff lawyers as well as judges whose focus is on civil trial practice. Members must meet the criteria for admission by showing specific trial experience and a proven reputation for professionalism and excellence as an attorney. ABOTA Houston is the second largest chapter in the country and is an active chapter that sponsors.
America’s greatness lies in its people. And in its people lies the foundation of justice — trial by jury. The Seventh Amendment is a precious right that is increasingly under attack by those who would eliminate justice by the people in favor of justice by the bureaucracy. In 2014, ABOTA founded Save Our Juries, a public education campaign aimed at informing and mobilizing citizens in the fight to save our disappearing Seventh Amendment right, which guarantees a jury trial for civil cases in federal courts.
ABOTA is committed to preserving the independence of the judiciary, recognizing that judicial impartiality and fairness protect against the whims and demands of the government and special interests.
ABOTA is committed to increasing equity and promoting persons who have been historically underrepresented in the profession of law and the participation in civil jury trials. We support a diverse, inclusive and civil justice system through initiative on education, promoting the right to trial by jury, judicial independence and the rule of law.
The 2025 Officers of the Houston ABOTA were inducted at the annual holiday event. The 2025 President is Elizabeth (Peach) Ray of Houston.
A Baylor graduate, the Honorable Elizabeth “Peach” Ray was named the 2025 President of Houston ABOTA. Previously a recipient of the Sarah T. Hughes Award from the State Bar of Texas, she is also Board Certified in Civil Trial by the Texas Bar. She was the first female to have been elected (twice) as the Administrative Judge for the Harris County District Courts.
Houston ABOTA is proud of our leadership over the past years and 2025 is no exception. Houston ABOTA also benefits from strong leadership through our National Board Representatives and past officers, many of whom serve on the Executive Committee.
President
Vice President - Foundation
Treasurer
Immediate Past President
Immediate Past President
Presidential Appointee
Presidential Appointee
Presidential Appointee
Presidential Appointee
Presidential Appointee
Presidential Appointee
Presidential Appointee
Our Past Presidents are icons of the Bar; they have given their valuable time to Houston ABOTA because they believe that the tenets of this organization are so important to the preservation of the Constitution. We honor them and their service.
Hon. Caroline E. Baker
Sherie Beckman
Don Kidd
Alistair Dawson
Pete Patterson
Hon. Erin Lunceford
Jerry Young
Gwen Richard
Joseph Callier
Kat Gallagher
Bruce Hurley
Hon. Pat Kerrigan
John Kim
Murray Fogler
Don Jackson
Craig Smyser
Robin Gibbs
Reagan Simpson
Richard LaGarde
Dick Law
Alica Oliver-Parrot
Charles B. Holm
Hartley Hampton
Daniel A. Hyde
Julius Glickman
There were no records kept until 1996.
The Presidents with no dates served in the 1990s.
D. Dudley Oldham
William E. Matthews
William E. Matthews
Paul F. Jensen
Kenneth Tekell, Sr.
Ottway Denny
Nick Nichols
Henry Geisel
Gerald Coley
Suzan Cardwell
Darrell Barger
Tom McDade
Houston ABOTA is governed by a set of local and national by-laws which are carefully followed. These by-laws ensure ABOTA members are of the highest caliber, both in proficiency in the courtroom and civility in the practice.
View the Houston ABOTA Chapter Bylaws