The Hon. Lawrence E. Thorne (Ret.) was a judge for the 317th District Court of Texas in Jefferson County. Thorne was initially elected to the bench in 1998. He retired at the conclusion of his term in 2022.
Thorne earned a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. He then completed a J.D. at the University of Houston Law Center in 1973.
After receiving his law degree, Thorne began his legal career as an assistant district attorney for the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. He served in that capacity until 1979, at which time he entered into private practice, where he specialized in family law and criminal law.
His memberships have included the Jefferson County Juvenile Board, and the Curriculum Development Committee of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. He has also been involved with the Eastern Legal Services Board, the State Council on Child Welfare Board, and the State Advisory Board on Child Welfare.
Thorne is a registered Democrat.