 District Judge Jeanne Meurer, 43, is a judge in the 98th District Court in Austin. She received her bachelor of science degree from Sam Houston State University in 1975 and went on to acquire her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1977. For the next two years, Meurer practiced general law in a private office. In 1979, she officially began the career for which she is known "as probably the best friend of the children of Travis County" she joined the Travis County Juvenile Court as a child support enforcement agent. In 1984, Meurer was named court master in the Travis County District Courts. She continued there until 1989 when she was elected district judge for the 98th District Court in Austin. She has been re-elected since that time. Currently, she also serves as the chair-woman of the Travis County Juvenile Board and as a member of the Travis County Child Abuse Task Force, the Texas Association of Domestic Relations Office and the Austin Women's Political Caucus, among several other state and local organizations. She is sought after on the speaking circuit due to her successful, unique demeanor in the courtroom. "The moment is vintage Jean Meurer - rolling thunder, zigzag lightning, cue the tears. Anyone who has sat in her courtroom knows the spectacle - the reconnaissance eyes that lock onto a target and search the soul - of how a diminutive woman in two-inch heels and a black robe can scare the bejesus out of recalcitrant parents and tough punks." This excerpt is from an April 1995 article by Pamela Ward in the Austin-American Statesman. |
As profiled at the October 26, 1996 Distinguished Alumni Banquet