Judge Robert Eckels' practice is built on a decades-long career in public service and leadership of the nation's third largest county.  Robert  is a national leader on issues of health care policy, homeland security, transportation, public finance/public private partnerships and the environment.  As County Judge of Harris County, he was credited with restoring the county's strong bond ratings, improving disaster and emergency response, transportation and healthcare and helping finance three state-of-the-art sports facilities in and near downtown Houston without using property or sales taxes.  He led the county to build the now 500 mile county toll road system into one of the strongest performing toll road systems in the nation.  Robert serves on the Board of Trustees of the Texas County & Districts Retirement System, a $16 billion public pension fund, and as its Chairman since 2004.  

Robert was recognized nationally for opening the Harris County Reliant Park and Astrodome for Hurricane Katrina evacuees, the largest shelter operation in U.S. history, followed by the evacuation of over 2.5 million people in the face of Hurricane Rita, the largest evacuation in U.S. history.  He has received numerous awards and national recognition during his career; most recently Esquire Magazine named him “Best and Brightest - Citizen of the Year” of 2005 for his extraordinary leadership. “When the City of New Orleans evacuated to Houston, Harris County Judge Robert Eckels took them in. He was an island of competence in the face of catastrophe,” Esquire wrote.  American City and County Magazine  named Robert “County Leader of the Year 2006”, the National Conflict Resolution Center awarded him its National Peacemaker Award (2006) and the American Leadership Forum its Joseph Jaworski Award (2006).

Robert, who was first elected as a state representative in his 20s, served six terms before going on to become county judge – a role in which he oversaw the executive, legislative and judicial functions of a county that is home to more than 3.7 million residents.

• American Bar Association
  • Criminal Justice Section - Juvenile Justice Committee
  • Administrative and Regulatory Practice Section - Transportation Committee
  • Government and Public Lawyers Division
• National Conference of Specialized Court Judges
• State Bar of Texas
  • Administrative and Public Law Section
  • Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section
• College of the Sate Bar of Texas
• Houston Bar Association
• Colorado Bar Association
• New York Bar Association
• DC Bar
• AIJA (International Association of Young Lawyers) (1996 – 2001)

• American City and County Magazine, "County Leader of the Year" (2006)
• Esquire Magazine "Best and Brightest - Citizen of the Year" (2005)
• National Conflict Resolution Center, National Peacemaker Award (2006) 
• American Leadership Forum, Joseph Jaworski Award (2006)
• Crisis Intervention of Houston Inc., The Superhero Award (2006)
• Houston Area Association for the Education of Young Children, Elected Official of the Year (2006)
• Governor's One Star Award, Community Capacity Builder Award for Harris County Citizen Corps (2006)
• Mental Health and Mental Retardation Association of Harris County­ Appreciation of Work with Katrina Evacuees (2006)
• Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Special Commendation Award (2006)
• Klein ISD, Friend of Freedom Award (2006)
• Government Procurement Connections, Economic Development Exemplary Leadership Award (2006)
• American Jewish Committee Houston Chapter, Institute of Human Relations Award (2006)
• National Hurricane Conference Award, "Texas Response to Katrina Evacuees" (2006)
• Interfaith Ministries, Chairman's Award (2005)
• Children's Defense Fund, Champion of Children (2005)
• Houston Area Pastor Council, Faith in Action Award (2005)
• Baylor College of Medicine, Team Houston All-Star (2005)
• AARP - Power to Make it Better Award (2005)
• Outstanding Community Leadership, CITGO Petroleum Corporation (2005)
• TEX21/Transportation Excellence in the 21st Century, Inaugural Anchor Award for Excellence in Transportation, Houston/Galveston Region (2005)
• Greater Houston Partnership, Houston's Greatest (2005)
• Leadership Houston, Leadership in Action Award (2005)
• Partners for Livable Communities, Bridge Builders Award (2005)
• Rotary Club of Bellaire/Southwest, Community Leadership Award (2005)
• Houston Metropolitan Study, Award for Building Regional Cooperation (2004)
• Childbuilders, Building Blocks Award for Children's Mental Health (2004)
• National Association of Counties, Caucus Courthouse Award (2003)
• Prevent Child Abuse Texas, Leadership Achievement Award (2003)
• Bay Area Transportation Partnership, Charles A. Jacobson Transportation Enhancement Award (2003)
• Gateway to Care, CAP Defender Award (2003)
• Gateway to Care, Opening Doors to Healthcare Award (2003)
• Mental Health Association, Helen Farabee Community Leadership Award (2001)

J.D., South Texas College of Law
B.S., Technology, University of Houston

Robert is admitted to practice law in Texas, Colorado , New York, and the District of Columbia. 

• Texas High Speed Rail and Transportation Corporation, President
• National Campaign to Stop Violence, State Chair (Texas) 
• Do the Write Thing Texas, President
• Interfaith Ministries Houston - Board of Directors
• Houston Christian High School, Trustee
• Boy Scouts of America - Sam Houston Area Council, Board of Directors
• Rotary Club of Houston
• Greater Houston Partnership - Transportation & Infrastructure Advisory Committee
• American Leadership Forum, Senior Fellow  
• British American Project, Fellow
• 100 Club of Houston - Life Member
• Law Suits for Santa - Organized this annual professional workforce clothing drive which has received over 100,000 articles for clothing for people transitioning from job training to a professional work environment.
• Robert Eckels Scholarship Endowment - University of Houston, College of Social Sciences