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 the associate district judge in the 387th District Court. He has held leadership roles within the Fort Bend County Bar Association, including serving as president. He is also involved with the Family Bar of Fort Bend, American Inns of Court, and the State Bar of Texas and its family law section. In addition to his legal affiliations, Bell has served as 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.
