U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin Howell began his service in the Western District of Texas in 2021, serving in the Austin Division.
Judge Howell is board-certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2017). Before his federal judicial appointment, he served as a state district judge in Travis County, Texas, presiding over the 459th, 200th, and 455th District Courts (2018–2021). He previously served as an Assistant Solicitor General of Texas (2012–2016), practiced at Baker Botts L.L.P. in Austin (2009–2012), and clerked for Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson of the Supreme Court of Texas (2008–2009). He serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law and Texas Tech University School of Law.
Education
- Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D., 2008 (summa cum laude; Articles Editor, Texas Tech Law Review)
- University of Texas at Austin, B.A., 2000
Career
- U.S. Magistrate Judge, Western District of Texas (2021–present)
- Judge, 459th, 200th, and 455th District Courts, Travis County, Texas (2018–2021)
- Associate, McKool Smith P.C., Austin (2016–2017)
- Assistant Solicitor General, Office of the Texas Attorney General (2012–2016)
- Associate, Baker Botts L.L.P., Austin (2009–2012)
- Law Clerk to Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson, Supreme Court of Texas (2008–2009)