Debby Gunter 241st District Court Judge
Dedicated.
Experienced.
Fair.
About Debby.
Judge Debby Gunter has been practicing law for more than 25 years and has served as Judge of the 241st District Court since 2023. Born and raised in Smith County, she returned home after graduating from the University of Houston Law Center and spent 21 years practicing law in Tyler before taking the bench. Throughout her career, Debby handled hundreds of cases across East Texas, serving as a prosecutor, protecting the property of business owners through patent litigation, and representing law enforcement and county officials. Her broad civil and criminal experience prepared her to lead one of the county’s most active and efficient courts.
A committed servant leader, Debby believes deeply in giving back to her community. She has served in leadership roles for numerous local organizations, including the Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County, Leadership Tyler, The Women’s Fund, and the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County. With a heart for children, she has donated hundreds of hours of pro bono representation to infants and children in Smith County CPS cases. She remains active in the local bar, previously serving on the boards of the Smith County Young Lawyers and the Smith County Bar Association, and currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Smith County Bar Foundation and the Sexual Assault Survivors Task Force Judicial Working Group. She was also named the Smith County Bar Association Young Lawyer of the Year in 2011 and received the Smith County Bar Association Award of Excellence in 2020.
“A judge should accurately apply the law — not rewrite it.”
Why I’m Running for Re-Election.
I’m running for re-election because the people of Smith County deserve a court system that works efficiently, treats everyone with respect, and applies the law with integrity. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in streamlining processes and becoming more efficient, and I’m committed to continuing that work.
Since taking the bench in 2023, I’ve focused on running a hardworking, efficient, and fair courtroom. In less than three years, the 241st District Court has resolved over 4,200 cases, supported by a steady criminal docket and a structured civil jury schedule that ensures every matter receives the attention it deserves.
Her Experience
- Has practiced law for 21 years
- Former Prosecutor
- Broad range of experience from complex multi-million dollar patent cases to cases representing businesses and individuals on both sides of the docket
- Extensive experience in State and Federal Courts in East Texas
Her Experience
- Former Prosecutor
- Broad range of experience from complex multi-million dollar patent cases to cases representing businesses and individuals on both sides of the docket
- Extensive experience in State and Federal Courts in East Texas
- Smith County Bar Association Young Lawyer of the Year 2011
- Smith County Bar Association Award of Excellence 2020
“Each decision made by the Judge of the 241st District Court impacts the people of this community. That responsibility and the effect it has on people’s lives is one I take seriously.”
Endorsements
