District Judge Alfred Bennett is Men's Breakfast Speaker at St. Francis of Assisi

Alfred Homer Bennett, a United States District Judge for the Southern District Court of Texas, a position he has held since April 2015, is the speaker for the Men’s Prayer Breakfast at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church on November 16, 2019 at 8:30 p.m.  The church is on 2000 Phillip and 204 Dooley Streets in Prairie View.  Please confirm attendance at 936-857-3272 or email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net.

Bennett is a native of Ennis, Texas, where he received his early education.  Transitioning from High School he enrolled and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1988 from the University of Houston.  The idea of becoming a lawyer was always in the back of his mind and was crystallized after he served a congressional internship during his junior year at the University of Houston. He enrolled at the University of Texas School of Law and received d a Juris Doctor in 1991.

Bennett began his career as an attorney at the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski from 1991 to 1994 and at the law firm of Solar & Fernandes LLP from 1994 to 1998.  From 1998 to 2008, he was a solo practitioner, representing individuals and companies in litigation before both Federal and State courts.  From 2009 to 2015, he served as the Presiding Judge for the 61st Civil District Court of Texas.  From 2010 to 2011, he served as the Administrative Judge for the Harris County Civil District Courts.  Bennett also campaigned for the Texas House of Representatives District 146 during the Democratic primary in 2006.

On September 18, 2014, President Obama nominated Bennett to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, to the seat vacated by Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt, who took senior status on March 2, 2013.  On December 16, 2014 his nomination was returned to the President due to the sine die adjournment of the 113th Congress. On January 7, 2015, President Obama renominated him to the same position.  He received a hearing before the Judiciary Committee on January 21, 2015 and the nomination was reported out on February 26, 2015. On April 13, 2015 the United States Senate voted 95–0 in favor of confirmation.  He received his judicial commission on April 15, 2015.  Bennett is the first African-American to hold this position, and the first Democrat to hold it in years, and the youngest tenured judge.

Judge Bennett is committed to the cause of making sure citizens are informed and volunteers regularly with the Houston Lawyers Association, Houston Bar Association, the National Bar Association, and the State Bar of Texas to aid in those efforts. In addition, Bennett invests in the development of future generations by devoting a large amount of time to the Boy Scouts of America as a member of the board of directors for the Sam Houston Area Council and an assistant Scoutmaster with Troop #242. He is also an Eagle Scout. Additionally participates in the Black History Making Judge Kenneth Hoyt Lectures at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law and Spouses of Houston Barristers.  He has been recognized for his judicial leadership, community service by the Houston Black American Democrats.

Family is everything to Judge Bennett. He and his wife Tanyel, his best friend, are proud parents of two intelligent and smart sons, who keeps him grounded as he does what he loves – serving others.