Judge Disciplined For Popping Off To Attorney Is Now Facing Said Attorney In Election Runoff

// Houston, TX Judge Clinton “Chip” Wells Jr. was publicly admonished last month for his bizarre and confrontational behavior during an acrimonious divorce case in 2019.

As described in the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct:

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“Throughout the trial, Judge Wells expressed irritation at both lawyers, slamming his fists or books on the bench, erupting in anger at counsel, using a harsh and sarcastic tone of voice, abruptly announcing recesses, or walking off the bench in frustration and anger.”

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Towards the end of the proceedings, Wells asked one of the attorneys, Teresa Waldrop, into his chambers. During the nearly two-hour meeting, Waldrop describes repeatedly asking to leave or for a witness to join them during the upsetting rant:

In the commission’s findings of fact, it states that while Waldrop was alone with Wells in chambers he confessed that he had created an irreparable mess of the trial and conceded he was known to “have a bad temper,” adding, “the reality has—has come to me that I may not be suitable for this.”

Waldrop told the commission she was frightened and intimidated by Wells’ conduct, and repeatedly asked to leave or have witnesses present. Wells expressed being “horrified by this” and wondered if he should “fling himself out the window.”

At one point, Wells told Waldrop it would have been easier had she come to his chambers to “fuss at him,” continuing, “Then we would have rolled around on the floor and strangled each other,” the report stated.

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When he finally called in the parties and other counsel into his chambers, he reportedly described his errors in the case. The following day he recused himself from the case.

During the investigation, Wells was also forthcoming about his behavioral problems:

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During the commission investigation, Wells acknowledged his failures of conduct, and in writing stated that his actions did not conform to a judge’s duty to be “patient, dignified and courteous.” He also admitted that he should not have directed Waldrop into his chambers and stated he apologized to her that same day.

“The judge further indicated he has sought professional counseling, … and believes he has taken responsibility for his actions,” the report continues.

But that — while interesting — isn’t the end of the story. Following the incident, Waldrop decided to run against Wells in the election for his seat. As Waldrop acknowledged after she was informed of the commission’s admonition, “After waiting three years, nine days since it happened, I’m feeling  a little lighter today. As a lawyer I’m trained to confront, call out and report this type of misconduct. This incident is what made me decide to jump into the race for this bench.”

What’s more, Waldrop has forced a runoff in the Democratic primary after getting 46 percent of the vote. Wells got 28 percent and a third candidate, Paul Calzada, received 26 percent. The final chapter in this saga — the runoff — is May 26th.

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Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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Clinton “Chip” Wells, Courts, Judicial Ethics, Texas