RICHMOND – Fort Bend County Judge Daniel Wong filed a lawsuit Monday against Fort Bend County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson, asking a district court to reaffirm one of the most fundamental principles of constitutional government: that judicial orders remain binding unless modified by a court — not by the opinion of another public official.
The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief and centers on a straightforward but significant legal question — who has the authority to decide whether a court order remains valid?
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What the lawsuit argues
Wong was appointed by district court order under Chapter 87 of the Texas Local Government Code following the suspension of the former county judge. According to the petition, that appointment has never been vacated, modified or set aside by any court.
The lawsuit contends that subsequent actions by Smith-Lawson created unnecessary uncertainty within county government, disrupted the orderly conduct of Commissioners Court business and diverted public resources away from serving Fort Bend County residents.
“Bridgette Smith-Lawson is wasting valuable Fort Bend County resources in pursuit of her own partisan, political agenda,” said Chris Hilton, counsel for County Judge Wong.
“Rather than serve her constituents, she is abusing her office by pushing ridiculous opinions that have no basis in law and bullying County employees into helping her block Judge Wong from doing his job.”
What Wong is asking the court to do
The lawsuit asks the district court to reaffirm the continuing validity of Wong’s appointment, clarify the constitutional requirements governing continuity in public office and prevent further actions that interfere with the orderly operation of county government.
The Texas Constitution, the lawsuit argues, requires continuity in public office until a lawful successor is duly qualified — a standard Wong’s legal team says Smith-Lawson’s actions have undermined.
“I did not seek this lawsuit. I sought to do the job the district court entrusted me to do,” Wong said.
“The people of Fort Bend County deserve certainty, stability, and a government focused on serving the public — not political disputes. We are asking the courts to reaffirm what the Constitution already requires so that county government can remain focused on the people’s business.”