Former judge Steven Kirkland, a UH communications lecturer is a candidate for judge of the 113th Civil District Court. | Courtesy of Steven Kirkland
Law and ethics lecturer, UH Law Center alumnus and former judge Steven Kirkland is campaigning to return to the bench in hopes of becoming the judge of the 113th Civil District Court. After 20 years of practicing law, including 12 years serving in a couple judicial roles, Kirkland said he thinks he is a standout in the race. The Daily Cougar sat down with Kirkland to talk about his campaign and his work as faculty at UH.
For more information about Kirkland’s campaign, visit judgestevenkirkland.com. Early voting begins next month, and the primary election day is March 4.
The Daily Cougar: What has inspired you to dedicate your life to the bench, specifically for the 113th Civil District Court?
Steven Kirkland: I’ve been involved in public service pretty much all my life. Even though part of the time has been working in the private sector, I’ve always been engaged in community activism. At Texaco, I was working with groups and environmental support groups, and I was also involved in neighborhood empowerment projects. But I’ve had a lot of commitment to the community.
Somewhere along the way someone dared me to go to law school, and we took the LSAT. We did well enough to feel like we had to go to law school. We did, and we did very well. So law became my skill set. All lawyers, no matter where you work, have an obligation to the law, especially as a public servant. Some of us have more direct responsibility to that. I’ve always had a passion for justice ever since I was a young brat. I corrected my father making racist comments, and any time that he did something that didn’t seem right, I would stand up to him.
The bench and serving as a judge is pretty much the most fun you can have when practicing law, and I did it for a lot of reasons. One, you don’t have to go chasing for it; it comes to you. Also, you don’t have a particular agenda. People and the law lead you to where the right answer is, and you find justice. So I guess your agenda is to allow the process to work. And what is most fun is that you’re helping people find a resolution to the dispute. Even in minor decisions … you’re helping them find a resolution, and in criminal cases’ context, that’s helping them to accept responsibility. In civil context, you’re helping them find a balance. And that is really gratifying.
I’ve been a judge for 12 years, and after a busy primary, I lost that bench.
TDC: What among your qualifications has most prepared you for the position?
SK: My years of being a judge already. I’ve been a lawyer for 20 years now, and I’ve worked with a wide range of people — whether it be the taxpayers, which I’m doing now, or individual homeowners. And I’ve worked with an international company, so I’ve been on all sides of the courtroom. I have the professional experience to do that. I graduated cum laude at the UH Law Center.
And my life experience: I have three years of activism — being out in the streets with real people — and I’m a recovering alcoholic for nine years now. I have learned from personal experience that you can change your life. You can face extreme behavior and turn your life around. When I say I’ve been on all sides of the courtroom, I have. I’ve been before a judge, and I’ve been in custody.
TDC: What sets you apart from incumbent Judge Michael Landrum, who is running for re-election?
SK: Three things: One, I’m a Democrat, and he is a Republican. Two, he was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry, which tends to be political. Three, my history of community service is far longer than his, and I’ve been a judge.
TDC: What has been your experience teaching law and ethics to communication students, and why do you feel the class is important?
SK: I have a blast teaching that class. Constitutional law is why most people go to law school, and there is no area more ripe with current controversies than the communication area. And there’s a new wave of technology. You take the First Amendment and try to apply the context in with communication and technology, and you get a really interesting result.
TDC: What are the ways the UH community can get involved with your campaign?
SK: Voting is the key way. Remember the election date and the primary date. Talk about it. Folks really need to talk about it so they can remember. I think about what I could have done differently last time I ran to get people excited about it, and getting people more excited about it would have helped. Social media helps. We have a website and all of these good things to help get the word out. Sharing with your friends always helps. And there are volunteering opportunities, and if you’re interested, visit the webpage.
