The following is a compilation of the unedited responses from Matthew "Matt" Hand, candidate for Potter County Court-at-Law #2, to the 2018 Amarillo Pioneer Voter Guide Questionnaire. Hand is running in the March 6th Republican primary against Potter County assistant prosecutor Wade Overstreet and Amarillo attorney Jerry Morales.
Name:
Matthew "Matt" Hand
Office Sought:
Potter County Court-at-Law #2
Why did you decide to run for office?
I decided to run for judge of Potter County Court at Law #2 because Potter County deserves experienced judges. Practicing law in a wide range of areas for 29 years has given me the knowledge, experience, and perspective Potter County deserves in a judge. I also believe in service, and serving as the judge of the court will allow me to serve a profession and community that has been good to me and my family.
Please list any of your political, civic or non-profit experience.
I am an Eagle Scout, and have served the local Council as an adult for over 20 years as a Council Executive Board Member, Vice-President--over several areas, and as Scoutmaster. I am former Board Member of the Children’s Development Center at Polk Street United Methodist Church as well as a member of the church’s Finance committee. I am a former Board Member of Center City, and I am former member and Director of the Downtown Kiwanis. I have also served many local nonprofits and charities in various smaller program and fundraising roles. I am a graduate of Leadership Amarillo and Canyon, and I have coached YMCA and Kid’s Inc. basketball. Additionally, I am a former Director of The Amarillo Area Young Lawyers’ Association, and I have been a speaker at programs sponsored by several legal associations including, The Amarillo Area Bar Association, the Texas Association of Defense Counsel(civil), and the National Association of Legal Secretaries. I have also spoken on legal issues to non-attorney groups including, Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions.
What is your educational background?
I earned my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement- from Washburn University of Topeka, Kansas. I also earned my Juris Doctors Degree-Law- from Washburn University of Topeka, Kansas. I have passed the bar examinations and have been admitted to practice law in both Texas and Oklahoma. I am also Board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and am required to take continuing legal education beyond that required of non-board certified lawyers. I am also admitted to practice in several federal district courts and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
What experience do you have that qualifies you for this position?
My great grandfather immigrated from Ireland. He could not read or write, and went to work in the Pennsylvania coal mines. My grandfather graduated the 8th grade before going to work in the mines as well. My father left high school at the end of his junior year to fight in WWII as a paratrooper. From them I inherited a strong work ethic and values. I began earning money by mowing yards in junior high and have worked many jobs since. My generation was the first in our family to attend college, and I worked two jobs throughout my college and law school years to pay my way. I carry that work ethic and those values with me into my professional career. I was in-house counsel with Phillips Petroleum Company in Amarillo for the first 7 years of my legal career and have been practicing civil trial law for the past 22 years at Brown & Fortunato, P.C. I have represented clients in many different areas of the law including: business and partnership disputes, probate, personal injury, employment, property, environmental pollution, and oil and gas disputes in addition to advising clients in personal, business and family matters. I became Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 2000, To become board certified, I had to have tried at least 25 lawsuits to verdict as the primary lawyer, and I then had to pass an advanced legal examination on the court procedure, evidence and civil trials. In order to maintain my certification, I have to maintain an active trial practice and take continuing legal education above and beyond that required of non-board certified attorneys.
How will you best represent the community that elected you?
I believe every elected official has the responsibility to be a good steward of our tax dollars. I will bring my experience in the business side of practicing law to the court and look for opportunities to save money and improve efficiency. I will also assure that the court maintains an active trial docket so cases are resolved as quickly as possible-justice delayed is justice denied. I will enforce and follow the law to assure criminal offenses are met with proper punishment while at the same time recognizing that first time offenders and those with mental illness and addiction often need guidance to find a way out of the system so as not to become repeat offenders.
Are you supported by Amarillo Matters?
No
How are you better suited than your opponent(s) to serve in the position that you are running for?
The court is a trial court and hears a wide range of legal matters. I am the only candidate with a broad range of legal experience in types the matters within the court’s jurisdiction. Not only does the judge need legal experience he needs well rounded life experience to understand and appreciate the matters before the court and to find creative solutions to the problems of those before the bench. My legal, professional, family and civic experiences have helped me develop the necessary well-rounded experience of a judge. It is also of paramount importance that the judge’s impartiality never be subject to question. A judge’s impartiality cannot be subject of question because of associations to causes, groups or former employers. I have a long earned reputation of treating others fairly, courteously and professionally. Those traits will follow me as the judge.
Why should voters choose you on March 6th?
I am the candidate to vote for because I bring not only the experience Potter County deserves in a judge , but also because I believe in the role of the judge is to fairly and impartially apply the law to all who appear before court and to serve as a good steward of our tax dollars.
Photo by Hand Campaign