06-D Appt of Acting City Judge
DRAFT
F:A TTORNEY\RESWORK\CURRNET\ Associate Judge Appt Res 9-07
July 26, 2007
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE APPOINTMENT OF STEPHANIE HARRIS
AS ACTING CITY JUDGE FOR THE CITY OF PARIS TO SERVE IN THE
ABSENCE OF THE CITY JUDGE; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Section 27 of the City Charter of the City of Paris provides for the appointment
of a City Judge to preside over the Municipal Court; and,
WHEREAS, in the absence of the City Judge the City Council may appoint a duly licenced
attorney to serve as acting City Judge; and,
WHEREAS, the City Judge, Thomas E. Hunt, III of the City of Paris, will be away for part
of the month of September ,2007 and will be unavailable at other times during his term due to family
illness, judicial conferences, and/or scheduled vacation; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Paris, Texas, finds and determines that
Stephanie Harris, a licensed attorney and former prosecutor for the City of Paris should be appointed
to serve as an Acting City Judge in the absence of the City Judge for a term of two (2) years,
beginning September 1, 2007, and ending August 31, 2009;
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Paris, Texas further finds and determines that
Stephanie Harris also be compensated in the amount of $50 per hour for the time she is serving the
City in the capacity of Acting City Judge;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PARIS, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby in all things
approved.
Section 2. That Stephanie Harris is hereby appointed to serve as Acting City Judge for a
two-year term beginning September 1,2007 and ending August 31,2009 during such time she shall
serve as Acting City Judge in the absence of the City Judge.
Section 3. That Stephanie Harris shall be compensated at the rate of $50 per hour for the
time she is serving the City in the capacity of Acting City Judge.
Section 4. That this resolution shall be effective from and after its date of passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 27th day of August, 2007.
Jesse James Freelen, Mayor
STEPHANIE H. HARRIS
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2765 NORTHEAST Loop 286
PARIS, TEXAS 75460
TELEPHONE: (903)785-2203
FACSIMILE: (903) 782-9700
EDUCATION
Southern Methodist University, B.A. cum laude - 1987
University of Georgia School of Law, J.D. cum laude - 1990
EMPLOYMENT
Sutton & Jacobs, LLP, Beaumont, Texas (2002-2007)
and Paris, Texas (2007 to date)--Associate Attorney
Represent persons injured through the negligence of others,
including catastrophic personal injuries, medical malpractice,
trucking and automobile cases. Firm featured in Texas Super
Lawyers 2006 and has obtained numerous six and seven figure
settlements and jury verdicts.
City of Paris, Paris, Texas (1999-2002)--Assistant City Attorney
Handled all prosecutions and code enforcement matters in
Municipal Court; reviewed requests made under the Texas Public
Information Act and the Paris Police Department and other City
departments and corresponded with Texas Office of the Attorney
General; drafted comprehensive ordinances related to code
enforcement and dilapidated buildings.
Family Law Associate, Tyler, Texas (1997-1998)
Family law associate for Coye Conner, board certified family law attorney.
Self-employed, Wichita Falls, Texas (1996)
Self-employed attorney handling primarily family law cases
Douglass & Hayers, Wichita Falls, Texas (1994-1996)
Associate Attorney
Handled primarily family law matters from inception of firm until
form's dissolution
Wichita County Criminal District Attorney's Office, Wichita Falls, Texas
(1993-1994)--Assistant District Attorney, Civil Division
Handled juvenile prosecutions, legal proceedings for the Texas
Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (CPS) and
mental health commitments to the Witch ita Falls State Hospital
Kilgore & Kilgore, Dallas, Texas (1990-1993)--Associate Attorney
Plaintiff oriented practice litigating in securitie~ fraud and
employment issues
PERSONAL
Married to Sill Harris since 1994
Two sons, Billy D/O/S: 12-28-95
Colin D/O/B: 1-19-99