UH Law Center Remembers Judge Kristin M. Guiney, Alumna and Adjunct Professor
—Texas First Court of Appeals Justice Kristin M. Guiney (J.D. ’01) a University of Houston Law Center alumna, passed away Thursday, Oct. 1. A long time Harris County jurist, prosecutor and advocate, Guiney had returned to UH Law this fall as an adjunct to teach aspiring lawyers.
In a statement announcing her death, the First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals remembered Guiney for a life devoted to public service and her commitment to helping others. The statement highlighted Guiney’s service as a judge in the Success Through Addiction Recovery (STAR) Drug Court, an intervention program for non-violent offenders with substance abuse disorders. The courts said she would be remembered for her “fairness, tenacity, brilliant smile, and unwavering love of the law.”
As a law student, Guiney distinguished herself in advocacy competitions, winning the Hippard Mock Trial Competition and Best Speaker honor in 2000. She graduated in 2001 and was board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She was also a member of the Order of Barristers. This fall, Guiney was serving as a Trial Advocacy adjunct instructor, her first teaching role with UH Law’s Blakely Advocacy Institute.
“She was a valued member of the Blakely Advocacy Institute community and a dedicated mentor to our students, bringing to the classroom the perspective, judgment, and practical wisdom that she developed through her distinguished judicial career,” said Amy Hawk, executive director of the Blakely Advocacy Institute. “Justice Guiney will leave a lasting impression on our UHLC students who will carry her lessons into their future legal careers.”
After graduating, Guiney began her legal career as a prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, where she tried more than 100 jury trials to verdict. She was with the D.A.’s Office for nine years and prosecuted cases ranging from DWIs to capital murders.
Guiney was first elected judge of the 183rd Criminal District Court in 2012 and went on to serve as a judge of the 179th Criminal District Court. In 2017, Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Guiney as judge of the 232nd Judicial District Court. During her time at the District Courts, Guiney handled a full docket of felony criminal cases and presided over more than 120 jury trials. She was elected to the First Court of Appeals in 2024.
According to her website, Guiney pursued a judicial career “because she firmly believed that the justice system should be guided by the rule of law and fairness.”
The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail in Houston.
