SENIOR JUDGE ROBERT J. KERN

Robert J. Kern was born in Paducah, Kentucky on February 6, 1943.  Raised in Houston, his considers himself a Naturalized Texan. He served as Judge of the 387^th District Court of Ft. Bend County for 13 years. He has heavy experience in family law, and is experienced in civil trials and has some experience in criminal law (non-capital).  

BAR ADMISSIONS 
He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1968, and admitted to practice before U.S. District Court, Southern and Western Districts of Texas.    

PREPATORY AND LEGAL EDUCATION  
He attended University of Texas, 1961-7, the University of Nevada at Reno Advanced Advocacy College in 1979, and George Mason University School of Law in 2010 for law and economics.  

CERTIFICATIONS 
In 1975, he was one of the original Board Certified Attorneys in Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and was re-certified each five years thereafter.  He served as Advisory Director Texas Board of Legal Specialization Family Law, 2006 to 2012. He was certified in Family and Juvenile Jurisprudence, Texas College for Judicial Studies 2006 and 2012.  

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE
The 387^th is a District Court created by statute to emphasize family law. Appointed initially by Governor Bush in 1999, he was elected to full term in 2000.  Re-elected each four years since then, he served through December 31, 2012.

Judge Kern also has administrative experience as member of Fort Bend County Self Representation Committee, Council of Judges, Board of District Judges, Juvenile Board, CSCD (adult probation board), Purchasing Board, Chair Courthouse Security Committee. He was Presiding Local Administrative District Judge Fort Bend County 2002-2004. He is Director, Judicial Section, State Bar of Texas 2011-2014.  He was the Keynote Speaker at the U.S. Citizenship Naturalization Ceremony on July 20, 2011. 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
He is a member of Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists Association, 1975-present, a founding member, four- term director, receiving the David Gibson Award for professionalism in 2012.  State Bar of Texas, 1968 to present.  Fort Bend County Bar Association, 1989 - present, received award for Outstanding Service on Bench-Bar Committee 2006.  Director, Family Law Tactics Forum, 1980-present, received Founders Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.  Burta Raborn Inn of Court, Master, 2000-present.  The College of the State Bar, 2002-present.  Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, 1999-present.  Former member Houston Bar Association: Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, Speakers Committee and Family Law Section, Two term Director of Family Law Section. 

LEGAL EXPERIENCE
He practiced civil and family law for 31 years before assuming the bench.  AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.  Licensed in all Texas state Courts as well as U.S. District Courts for Western and Southern Districts of Texas. 

CONTINUING EDUCATION 
Houston Volunteers Lawyers Program, Houston Bar Association, 1992-1999, Adviser and Speaker.  Ft. Bend County Bar Association Speaker, most recently “Amicus/Ad Litem Seminar 2011