Harris County names Jonathan Fombonne as county attorney

Harris County’s leadership moved to restore permanent legal oversight for the Commissioners Court when it appointed Jonathan Fombonne as county attorney on Jan. 8. The decision ends a months-long holdover that began after Christian Menefee technically resigned in March to pursue a congressional campaign but remained in the post under Texas law.

Fombonne steps in from his role as first assistant county attorney, bringing experience from both inside the county office and years as a private-practice litigator before joining the county team. He will serve in the post until voters elect a successor in November, keeping county legal work under the direction of an experienced in-house attorney through the fiscal and policy decisions that dominate the spring and summer agendas.

Commissioners used the appointment to formally recognize Menefee’s time leading the office. They honored his tenure and noted the work completed under his leadership while he balanced duties in the county office and a congressional run. The timing of the change comes with an active political calendar: Menefee remains a candidate in the CD-18 contest, which moves to a Jan. 31 runoff.

For Harris County residents, the handoff matters because the county attorney’s office advises the Commissioners Court on contracts, land use, regulatory compliance, and litigation strategy that affect local services and spending. An appointed county attorney provides continuity for legal advice while the electorate prepares to choose a permanent officeholder later this year. Fombonne signaled his intent to serve as a pragmatic legal partner to the court, positioning the office to focus on steady legal management rather than political transition.

Operationally, the appointment reduces uncertainty around counsel for ongoing county initiatives and decisions that require legal sign-off. It also clarifies the separation between county executive functions and the political campaign schedule unfolding in CD-18 as the runoff approaches. Voters will ultimately determine the long-term direction of the county attorney’s office in November, when the winner will take over after the interim period.

The takeaway? Keep an eye on both the Jan. 31 congressional runoff and the county attorney race later in the year. If you want stable legal leadership at Commissioners Court now, watch how Fombonne advises on contracts and budget items; if you want to shape long-term policy, plan to vote in the November county attorney election. Our two cents? Follow the filings and court agendas closely—those are where legal choices translate into everyday services.