About Judge Eric Shepperd
Judge Eric Montgomery Shepperd is the presiding Judge of County Court at Law #2. He was first elected as County Court Judge in 2006, and has been a part of the Austin legal community for over 30 years.
After receiving his B.A. from Andrews University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin, Judge Shepperd became an Assistant Attorney General in what is now called the Law Enforcement Defense Division. After almost 7 years, Judge Shepperd joined the Civil Litigation Division in the Travis County Attorney’s Office as Director of Civil Litigation where he became the first ever Director. As Director of Civil Litigation he directed and managed the entire litigation division. Judge Shepperd was charged with handling the disposition of cases, preparing appellate briefs, and presenting cases before both state and federal District and Appellate Courts. In 2006, he was elected Judge of County Court at Law #2.
In 2005, Judge Shepperd was instrumental in dedicating the civil courthouse after Heman Marion Sweatt, who was the University of Texas’ first black student. Heman Marion Sweatt’s courage and sacrifice ensured the opportunity for people of color in Texas to receive a higher education. Four years later this case greatly influenced the landmark decision Brown v. Board of Education, which protects the right for every person throughout the United States to receive a quality education, regardless of skin color. Heman Marion Sweatt’s perseverance to ensure opportunity for every person is especially meaningful to Judge Shepperd.
Judge Shepperd is an active mentor in the community. He is a lecturer for the University of Texas Law School’s Trial Advocacy Program, and an adjunct professor at Austin Community College, where he teaches advanced litigation. He was named a Top 10 Super Lawyer by the Austin Black Business Journal in 2020. He has also had the honor of serving as President/Chair for organizations such as, the Austin Black Lawyers Association, Texas Organized Professionals, Red Cross of Central Texas, Austin Habitat for Humanity, Leadership Austin, Texas Center for the Judiciary, the Lloyd Lochridge Inn of Court, the Austin Bar Association, and the Austin Bar Foundation.
