A Texan by Choice: Lamar McCorkle came to Houston in 1977 after graduating with a degree in public administration from the University of Arizona. He earned his law degree at South Texas College of Law in Houston, where he was a member of its first national champion mock trial team and served as an editor of the school's Law Review. Lamar earned his way through law school by working in restaurants and construction, and later a full-time job in the Harris County Sheriff's Department. He served as a law clerk and bailiff for Judge David Hittner, currently a United States District Judge who, at that time, served as judge of the 133rd District Court.

Judicial Clerkship: After graduation from law school, Lamar McCorkle was hired by the Chief Justice of the First Court of Appeals of Texas, Tom Coleman, as his briefing attorney.

Practice of Law: At the conclusion of his service to the Chief Justice, Lamar McCorkle began the practice of law, concentrating in civil law and business litigation with the firm of Reynolds, Allen & Cook in Houston. In 1986, he was elected judge of the 133rd District Court, becoming one of the youngest judges in Harris County.

Dedicated to his Profession: Judge McCorkle is a leader in his profession, recognized for improving access to justice, court administration and judicial education. His peers elected Judge McCorkle chair of the Texas Center for Legal Ethics & Professionalism, the Judicial Section of the State Bar and the Texas Center for the Judiciary. Judge McCorkle was appointed the first Dean of the Texas College for Judicial Studies, helping to establish the state's first curriculum of advanced judicial studies for judges. Every year he teaches ethics and efficient court management to new judges statewide at the Texas College for New Judges, and was appointed as a mentor judge by the Commission on Judicial Conduct. As a faculty member at the National Judiciary College, Judge McCorkle has taught court management to judges from across the nation. Most recently, Judge McCorkle became a founding board member of the Texas Judicial Foundation, intending to provide funds to educate Texas judges.

Dedicated to Excellence: Certified in Civil Jurisprudence as well as General Jurisprudence, Judge McCorkle was one of the first three judges in the state of Texas who were certified in two fields of the judicial knowledge through the Texas College for Judicial Studies. He was the first recipient of the Judicial Section Chair's Award of Excellence for outstanding service to the judiciary, and a three-time recipient of a Presidential Citation from the State Bar of Texas for individual leadership in improving justice in Texas. The Texas Association for Court Administration recognized Judge McCorkle for "extraordinary contributions in promoting court administration in Texas".

Dedicated to his Community: Judge McCorkle has seen Houston grow and change dramatically in the last 30 years, and he has given his time and talent for its betterment. His service has been as varied and expansive as Houston itself. Judge McCorkle is an active Life Member of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and founder and chairman of the board of the FBI Citizen's Academy Alumni Association. His service on boards and committees include the American Red Cross, Children's Drug Abuse Network, Harris County Historical Commission, Institute of Hispanic Culture, Houston Symphony League, Houston Chamber of Commerce, Westside Family YMCA, and many other community organizations. He and his family are active members of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church.

Mentor and Teacher: Judge McCorkle's mother was a public school teacher and he shares her commitment to guiding young people. Judge McCorkle has been active in Communities in Schools Houston, a drop-out prevention program addressing the needs of at-risk students. He greatly values his years as a student mentor though programs with the American Bar Association, Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, University of Houston Law Center, South Texas College of Law and the Houston Bar Association's Adopt-a-School program with B.C. Elmore Middle School. For over twenty years, Judge McCorkle has been proud to be a member of the Houston Hispanic Forum, particularly dedicated to speaking with young people on Career and Education Day. Over the years he had helped nurture the potential of scores of teens and law students through an internship program in the 133rd District Court. Several are now practicing attorneys. Judge McCorkle has taught a generation of Texas lawyers at local law schools beginning in 1980 as an adjunct professor for advocacy courses at South Texas College of Law and the University of Houston Law Center.

Dedicated to Judicial Service: Judge McCorkle has earned the confidence and respect of the Texas Supreme Court. He was one of four judges statewide selected to help write the Lawyer's Creed of Professionalism and he later created the first Texas Code of Judicial Conduct Annotated. By appointment of the Supreme Court, Judge McCorkle served on the Judicial Information and Technology Committee, the Task Force for Gender Fairness, as well as the Committee to review the Code of Judicial Conduct. He was asked to serve on the Supreme Court Commission on Judicial Efficiency, as well as many other judicial and legal committees. All his efforts underscore Judge McCorkle's commitment to improving the judicial system and are in addition to his full-time commitment to the citizens of Harris County in the 133rd District Court.

Dedicated to his Family: Judge McCorkle is married to attorney Regina Giovannini. Together they are raising two daughters who are the joys of their lives.