Judge Janet B. Heppard: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

387th District Court of Texas, Department Courtroom 3H

Biography

The Hon. Janet B. Heppard is a judge for the 387th District Court in Fort Bend County, Texas. She was elected to the bench on November 3, 2020.

Prior to her election, Heppard was the Clinical Director at the University of Houston Law Center, a position to which she was named in 2008.

Heppard earned a bachelor’s degree in geology and geophysics from Wright State University in 1981. She spent the next several years working as a geophysicist at Amoco Production Company in Houston. Heppard later completed an M.B.A. at the University of Houston (1993) and a J.D. at the University of Houston Law Center (1994).

After graduating from law school, Heppard began her legal career as a sole practitioner in her own private practice. She worked in that capacity until 1995, at which time she became a staff attorney for the Clinical Program at the University of Houston Law Center. During her tenure there, she specialized in family law matters, providing free legal services to low income members of the local community.

Her memberships have included the Houston Bar Association and the Burta Rhoads Raborn American Inn of Court. She has also been involved with the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program.

She received the Longevity of Exemplary Service to the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program Award from the Houston Bar Foundation, the Award of Merit from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the Most Litigated Pro Bono Cases Award from Lone Star Legal Aid, and the Community Partner Award from Lone Star Legal Aid.

Raised in Ohio, Heppard is a married mother of three children. When not presiding over legal proceedings, she is actively involved with the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts as a trainer and archery instructor.

She is registered as a Democrat.

Recent Cases by Hon. Janet B. Heppard

In the Matter of the Marriage of Adeola Olufunke Orisadipe and Seyi Shina Orisadipe and in the Interest of Minor Child(ren)

On December 30, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

1 File

Filed

Dec 30, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 02, 2025

Bella A. Landeros Vs. Tracy Bradshaw

On December 19, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

Filed

Dec 19, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 27, 2025

In the Matter of the Name Change of Minor Child(ren)

On December 16, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

3 Files

Filed

Dec 16, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 27, 2025

In the Matter of the Marriage of Charles Chikezie Emihe and Judene Elizabeth Hylton and in the Interest of Minor Child(ren)

On December 16, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

6 Files

Filed

Dec 16, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 27, 2025

In the Matter of the Marriage of Cherelle Lassai Johnson and Wendell Johnson

On December 12, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

7 Files

Filed

Dec 12, 2024

Status

Pending

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 15, 2024

In the Matter of the Marriage of Amina Mohamad Qadir and Sabri Sheikh Mashat and in the Interest of Minor Child(ren)

On December 9, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

5 Files

Filed

Dec 09, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 27, 2025

In the Matter of the Marriage of Mulumba Tshiembi Lubanza and Sherard Frank Pitts

On December 2, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

4 Files

Filed

Dec 02, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 27, 2025

Michelle Flannigan v Ian Isadore

On November 27, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

3 Files

Filed

Nov 27, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 27, 2025

Anne Fitzgerald Miller vs. Thomas Reynolds

On November 12, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

Filed

Nov 12, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 27, 2025

Ex Parte of Minor Child(ren)

On November 6, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

Filed

Nov 06, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 27, 2025

Jorge Umana vs. Alizai Ortega

On November 6, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

6 Files

Filed

Nov 06, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 27, 2025

In the Matter of the Marriage of Tiffany Crystal Thomas and Kevin Thomas

On October 30, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

8 Files

Filed

Oct 30, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 27, 2025

In the Matter of Insley Shavier John-Baptiste and Michael Andre Harris II

On October 29, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

59 Files

Filed

Oct 29, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 28, 2025

Cifuentes, Luis vs Vasquez, Maria Elena

On October 29, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

14 Files

Filed

Oct 29, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 28, 2025

In the Matter of the Marriage of Michael Ngai and Gloria P. Lee

On October 28, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Heppard, Janet presiding.

5 Files

Filed

Oct 28, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Heppard, Janet 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Heppard, Janet

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 28, 2025

In the Matter of the Marriage of Tameka Gordon and Lennox C Gordon and in the Interest of Minor Child(ren)

On October 28, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

10 Files

Filed

Oct 28, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 28, 2025

In the Matter of Destiney Nichole Flores and Jessie Toribio Razo

On October 23, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

2 Files

Filed

Oct 23, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 26, 2024

In the Matter of the Marriage of Elizabeth G Audu and Omar Kyari

On October 23, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 23, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 26, 2024

In te Special Interest of: Odili, Chioma Ngozi

On October 22, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

2 Files

Filed

Oct 22, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 25, 2024

In the Matter of the Marriage of Myriam Michele-Abdulcadir Foster and Melvin Alphonse Foster III

On October 21, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

4 Files

Filed

Oct 21, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 28, 2025

In the Matter of the Marriage of Bamine C Boye and Silvia F Ntutumu-Nguema

On October 16, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

6 Files

Filed

Oct 16, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 28, 2025

In the Matter of the Marriage of Ryan Eugene Kibbe and Dawn Kenjura Kibbe and in the Interest of Minor Child(ren)

On October 15, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Heppard, Janet presiding.

9 Files

Filed

Oct 15, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Heppard, Janet 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Heppard, Janet

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 28, 2025

In the Matter of the Marriage of Jasmine Christy Hall and Alfredo Hall Hall

On October 4, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

5 Files

Filed

Oct 04, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 28, 2025

In the Matter of the Marriage of Tammy Jo Bircher and George Anthony Samartzis

On October 4, 2024 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County. Judge Janet B. Heppard presiding.

5 Files

Filed

Oct 04, 2024

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Janet B. Heppard 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Janet B. Heppard

Court

387th District Court

County

Fort Bend County, TX

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 29, 2025

Discover if Hon. Heppard is the right judge for your case based on their ruling history.

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About

Janet B. Heppard
Party Affiliation Democrat	Democrat
Current Appointment 387th District Court of Texas, Department Courtroom 3H	387th District Court of Texas, Department Courtroom 3H
Election/Appointment November 3, 2020 - 387th District Court of Texas	November 3, 2020 - 387th District Court of Texas
Education J.D., University of Houston Law Center - 1994 M.B.A., University of Houston - 1993 Bachelor's degree, Wright State University - 1981	J.D., University of Houston Law Center - 1994 M.B.A., University of Houston - 1993 Bachelor's degree, Wright State University - 1981
Official Website www.fortbendcountytx.gov	www.fortbendcountytx.gov

Documents related to Janet B. Heppard

Proposed Order Doc ID# 16
Letters
Letters
Motion for Enforcement - Post Judgment Doc ID# 15
Judgment Notice Mailed/Rule 306A3 Doc ID# 31
Proposed Order Doc ID# 5
Letters
Title IV-D Post Judgment Doc ID# 17
Request Doc ID# 10
Letters

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	TX - 387th District Court of Texas
Clerk phone:	+1 (281) 238-3290

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Sole Practitioner	Private Practice	None
Clinical Staff Attorney	University of Houston Law Center	Harris County, Texas
Clinical Director	University of Houston Law Center	Harris County, Texas
Judge	387th District Court of Texas	Fort Bend County, Texas