At 5:30 a.m. each day, Judge Bert Richardson, a former competitiverunner, exercises thoroughly before work. He thendrives his car to the bus, which he rides from the north side all theway to the downtown courthouse. As a county employee, publictransportation is free, but his environmental efforts are commendablenonetheless. He arrives at thecourthouse, greeted by his daily docket,which puts the lives of countlesscriminal defendants on his shoulders.
And there might not be a morelevel–headed candidate for the job.Despite the naturally judicious personalityhe exudes, Bert Richardsondidn’t plan to be a judge. Circumstancessimply led him into hisperfect profession. A San Antonionative, Richardson graduated fromJudson High School before attendingBrigham Young University. There, henursed his two potential career interests:medicine and law. After comparinghis challenges with organic chemistryand his facility with issues of law,Richardson understood his gifts.
Before earning his JD from St.Mary’s University, Richardson spenttwo years in Argentina. Before that, helived in several places in Europe, followinghis military family. It was thisinternational upbringing that taughthim to understand the many walks of life from which people come.Of the defendants that come through his doors, Richardson pointsout that “they might be gainfully employed, or in college, and thenone mistake ruins it.”
He began his legal career with the District Attorney’s office,before being hired by the US Attorney’s Office in 1998. One of hiscolleagues then suggested that he seek one of the judicial appointmentscreated by the legislature in 1999. Reluctantly, Richardsonmade a phone call to Governor Bush’s chief of staff. With a solidtrack record and hard–earned references, he was soon sworn in byGovernor Bush in Austin.
As a criminal court judge, Richardson deals with some fairlydifficult subjects. “Some things you can manage real easily, somethings you can’t. Cases with kids are more difficult,” says Richardson.As a father, Richardson was mostaffected by the horrific murder of amother and three young children,which left her 10 year–old son, theonly witness to the crime, scarred andalone. Richardson was a prosecutorat the time. He notes that “prosecutorsget close to the victim or plaintiff…[but] as a judge you’re supposedto be neutral.” He and his family wentthe extra mile by taking the boy induring weekends and vacations, andcaring for him during the emotionallydraining trial.
Judge Richardson takes great satisfactionin enforcing the laws of thisnation. For better or worse, though, ajudge has less power than most peoplemight think. “You’re like a ref witha robe on…and a gavel,” says Richardson.
The all–too–humble judge makesevery effort to use his position forgood. For example, Liza Galvan, aNew Zealand native and local worldclass marathoner, wanted to compete for her native land in theBeijing Olympics. Even though she had run seven minutes underthe Olympic “A” standard, New Zealand refused to place her ontheir Olympic team. Although Richardson couldn’t represent theathlete directly, he was able to connect her with Bill Nash, a goodfriend and San Antonio lawyer who agreed to take the case on apro bono basis.
Shortly thereafter, Galvan’s case was heard before the SportsTribunal of New Zealand and she was awarded a place on theNew Zealand Olympic team. She recently competed in Beijingand the 39 year–old mother of four finished 35th in a field of over80 of the best marathoners in the world.
And what does the judge do in his spare time? As a militarychild, Richardson had abnormally unfettered access to photographylabs on bases around the world. He fell in love with photography,chronicling his adventures with an old Nikon he nowcalls a ‘relic’. When he can find the time, Richardson combineshis passions by photographing races on behalf of publicationssuch as Inside Texas Running, Runner Triathlete News and DIESTAT.COM. Racers might be honored to know that a judge isfollowing their race, but he’ll never tell. “I don’t tell anybody whatI do, so I get treated just like everybody else,” says Richardson.
An unselfish man, Richardson notes without regret that“[He] could have made a lot more money in private practice.”Richardson had intended to attend the Air Force Academy, butfailed his vision examination. He now keeps his dreams of flightalive in the form of his lone indulgence, a Saleen Cobra Mustang.Even though he won’t likely break traffic laws, Richardsonassures us that he would never use his position to get out of aticket. And we believe him.
Judge Richardson lives in San Antonio with his wife, Terriand son. His 20 year–old son, Cory, is a Texas Tech student andReagan High School alumnus. In fairy tale fashion, Richardsonmarried, literally, ‘the girl next door.’ After watching her comehome from college during the summers, he met her years laterat a summer job while he was in college and married her only amonth before law school.
Since his inauguration, Judge Richardson has run unopposedin both 2000 and 2004. Perhaps his competitors saw nopoint in questioning his judicial ability. Perhaps they just didn’tbother. Regardless, we would be wise to make an effort to keepthis capable and experienced judge on the bench.
