Hon. Robert Schaffer

Judge Robert Schaffer, a native Houstonian, has been Judge of the 152nd Civil District Court since January 1, 2009.  Prior to assuming the bench Judge Schaffer practiced law in the Houston metropolitan area for 24 years representing individuals in many areas of civil disputes.  He also served as a mediator for 16 years.

Education

• University of Arizona, 1974 B.A.
• South Texas College of Law, 1984 J.D.

Notable Cases

• 2015, Judge Robert Schaffer presided in the trial over the legitimacy of a petition that sought to overturn the controversial Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, or HERO, which banned discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender “in city employment, city services, city contracting practices, housing, public accommodations, and private employment.” The ordinance was passed in May 2014 and exempted religious institutions and organizations from compliance. Violators could face a maximum fine of up to $5000.00. City law requires 17,296 signatures from registered Houston voters for a measure to make it onto the ballot and Judge Schaffer’s ruled that the opponents of the ordinance had not gathered enough valid signatures.