The Harris County Commissioners Court has unanimously approved the appointment of Judge Genesis Draper as the next Chief of the Harris County Public Defender’s Office. The motion, led by Commissioners Lesley Briones and Rodney Ellis, marks a historic milestone as Draper becomes the first African American and first woman to lead the office.

The Harris County Public Defender’s Office provides comprehensive legal representation to indigent defendants, including services in mental health and appellate cases.

Judge Draper brings a wealth of experience to the role. She began her legal career as an assistant public defender, serving at both state and federal levels in Houston. Since 2019, she has presided over Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 12. Her professional background also includes more than a decade representing indigent clients and a commitment to reducing delays in the criminal justice process.

Her appointment is seen as a major step toward strengthening the county’s indigent defense system. Commissioners Briones and Ellis, who co-chair the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s Indigent Defense Committee, underscored the importance of this leadership transition in advancing fairness and efficiency within the justice system.

Judge Draper holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Spelman College and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. In addition to her judicial duties, she lectures nationally on best practices in indigent defense and serves as an adjunct professor in advanced trial advocacy at the University of Houston Law Center.

She will assume her new role in July, succeeding Alex Bunin, who was appointed in 2010 as Harris County’s first Chief Public Defender and will retire in December. Bunin will assist with the leadership transition in the coming months.

Commissioners Briones and Ellis expressed their gratitude to Bunin for his years of dedicated service and leadership.