Harris County commissioners unanimously approved Jonathan Fombonne as the new county attorney Jan. 8, effective immediately. Fombonne thanked his county attorney staff—made up of more than 300 lawyers and staff—and his family after commissioners invited him to speak at the Downtown Houston court meeting.

“Thank you again for your confidence and for this opportunity,” Fombonne said. “I’m honored to serve, and I look forward to working with each one of you.”

The big picture

Fombonne previously served as Harris County deputy county attorney and then first assistant county attorney before replacing a vacant county position after former County Attorney Christian Menefee resigned March 17 after the announcement of his campaign run for U.S. Congress District 18. Fombonne will serve as legal counsel to all elected offices in Harris County, including Commissioners Court.

Menefee has served as Harris County attorney since first winning the seat in 2021. More than four months after winning his reelection during the November general election, Menefee announced his formal campaign to run for Congress.

“I didn’t run for county attorney to hold a title,” Menefee said in a Jan. 8 news release. “I ran to build an office that shows up for people, and that’s what we did. We took on hard cases, powerful interests and delivered real results for working families.”

Fombonne said it has been an honor serving people with humility and earning their trust with hard work over the past five years with Menefee.

“I learned a lot from working with him, and I’m thankful for his leadership and for the team he built,” Fombonne said.

Also of note

Multiple government officials and stakeholders from the city of Houston and surrounding community organizations also spoke at the Jan. 8 meeting to congratulate Fombonne and share well-wishes with Menefee. Houston City Council member Tiffany Thomas, District F, said she looks forward to working with the new county attorney and thanked Menefee for his friendship.

“When he chose to do something more for Harris County residents, he has transformed the Harris County attorney office," Thomas said. "We are forever grateful for that, and we know that you'll continue to transform communities in our city.”