Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Richard “Rick” Bell as Judge of the 501st Judicial District Court in Fort Bend County. The appointment will take effect on December 1, 2025, and Bell’s term is set to expire on December 31, 2026, or until a successor is elected and qualified.

Bell currently serves as associate district judge in the 387th District Court. He is involved with several professional organizations, including the Fort Bend County Bar Association—where he previously served as president—the Family Bar of Fort Bend, American Inns of Court, and the State Bar of Texas and its family law section. Bell also has experience serving as past president and board member of the Exchange Club of Sugar Land and is a member of Bridge Fellowship Church.

Bell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Southwestern University and earned his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law Houston.