Judge Grady is a third-generation native Texan who grew up in Houston. She spent time throughout her childhood in Galveston County camping, boating, fishing and crabbing off the shores of Galveston and the protected waters of the Texas City Dike.
Judge Grady made Galveston Island her home in 1998 with her husband of 23 years, John Grady. She obtained her B.A. from the University of Houston studying Political Science and English. While in college, Judge Grady interned on Capitol Hill and was later hired as a congressional staffer. She participated in the Capitol Hill debate team and upon her departure and was awarded a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. Judge Grady was accepted into a study abroad program in London, England where she spent countless hours observing courtroom proceedings and the Houses of Parliament while studying classical art and British Literature.
Judge Patricia Grady
When her husband returned to work for the District Attorney’s office, Judge Grady continued her legal practice. Despite her long work hours and commute from her home on Galveston Island to downtown Houston, she wanted to make a difference in her community. Judge Grady was a volunteer for many Republican candidates, stuffing envelopes, making calls and putting out signs. She also served as a Republican Precinct Chair for over 7 years. Judge Grady was elected to by the Sand Pipers Republican Women’s Club to the Board of Directors. She was later chosen by her peers to be the Legislative Chairman and then President. Judge Grady has also served as a delegate to the County for the State Republican Convention in 2006, 2010 and 2012.
In 2011, Judge Grady left private practice and entered public service as the legal liaison for the first Republican Galveston County Judge since Reconstruction. Her legal work encompassed election law, administrative law, and governmental agency work. Her role was expanded when she was appointed unanimously by the Galveston County Judiciary to serve as a Juvenile Referee. That appointment gave Judge Grady the opportunity to serve as Judge over juvenile criminal cases. That experience of working as a judge led her to pursue the 212th Galveston County District Court Bench.
In 2014, Judge Grady become the first Republican-elected judge of the 212th District Court. She was endorsed by numerous local and state conservative elected officials and organizations like Senator Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood), Texans for Lawsuit Reform, Hispanic Republicans of Texas and the Texas Civil Justice League.
Judge Grady is committed to keeping Galveston County safe. She regularly tests defendants on bond for illegal drug use and revokes the bond of those who fail to abide by bond conditions. Judge Grady also volunteers to be on a one-week rotation where she is on call 24/7 to sign search warrants where probable causes exists for DWI cases. She has worked hard to achieve an excellent reputation for being balanced with a genuine concern for each case and devotion to the law while remaining committed to insuring the protection of the rights both the accused and those who have become victims of crime.
Judge Grady is a member of Galveston Island Pachyderm Club, Clear Creek Republican Women (“CCRW”), Friendswood Republican Women, Galveston Republican Women, the Republican Network, and the Mid-County Republican Network. She is also a member of the Lighthouse Charity Team and the 50 Club of Galveston County.
Judge Grady strongly believes in hard work, individual liberty, and personal responsibility. Like many Americans, her family is a mix of many different cultures. Her father was a Korean War veteran who worked hard to build and operate a small business. Her mother was a Licensed Vocational Nurse who spent her life caring for the sick. Family life was her parents’ passion and with six young children afoot, her father worked days and her mother worked nights at the hospital so there was always a parent at home. These traditional values were reinforced when she attended the Blessed Sacrament Elementary and Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School. Judge Grady continues to practice her faith at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She has followed her parent’s belief in hard work and traditional values which includes a strict adherence to the U.S. Constitution. Judge Grady’s hard work, dedication, conservative values, and academic and professional achievements make her remarkably qualified to continue serving on the bench of the 212th District Court in Galveston County.
Judge Grady worked her way through college and law school and earned her Juris Doctor in 1991 from the University of Houston Law Center. Among her many law school achievements are:
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Intern for the Honorable Manuel D. Leal, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas;
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Elected Section Representative for the Student Bar Association;
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Intern for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office;
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Studied in Mexico City, Mexico DF International Law and Banking.
After law school, Judge Grady practiced law with her elder sister, a former prosecutor and visiting judge who helped her achieve a solid foundation in courtroom practices and procedures. When her sister retired, Judge Grady started her own law practice in Downtown Houston. She later partnered with her husband to create a law firm with offices in Houston and Galveston where they represented clients in county, district, and federal courts.