RICHMOND — Kenneth Cannata became the Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Position 2 Justice of the Peace on Tuesday, taking the oath of office after Commissioners Court created the new position and unanimously appointed him to the role. Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers proposed Cannata's appointment.
"Ken is a great legal mind, and I'm happy he'll once again be a Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace," Meyers said.
Cannata's Precinct 3 Place 2 courtroom will be at 3114 Rosenberg Street in Needville. The Precinct 3 Place 1 courtroom is located at 151 Stadium Drive in Sugar Land.
Cannata was sworn in Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Fort Bend County Historical Courthouse Ceremonial Courtroom, 401 Jackson Street in Richmond. He brings more than 40 years of legal experience to the role. He previously served as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3 for 11 years before Gov. Greg Abbott appointed him as the first judge of the 458th District Court in Fort Bend County in September 2017.
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Photo by William Ferguson
Judge Ken Cannata with his wife Susan being sworn in by Judge Ed Krenek. Cannata is now the Precinct 3 Place 2 Justice of the Peace.
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Judge Ken Cannata with his family.
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Judge Ken Cannata with his grandchildren.
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John Placette gave the invocation during Ken Cannata's swearing in ceremony.
After leaving the district court bench in 2019, Cannata joined the Fort Bend County Attorney's Office as an assistant county attorney. Six months later he was promoted to Chief of Litigation, a position he held until recently.
"I would like to thank Commissioner Meyers and Commissioners Court for the confidence they have shown by appointing me as Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Place 2. I look forward to continuing my service to the residents of Fort Bend County," Cannata said.
He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida in 1979 and a juris doctorate with honors from South Texas College of Law in 1983. Cannata has been board certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1993.
His legal experience includes representing clients before the Texas Courts of Appeals, state and federal district courts and the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Cannata plans to run for the office in November 2026 in order to continue serving.
Judge Cannata and his wife Susan live in Rosenberg after many years in Pecan Grove.
The owner of Covering Katy News is also employed by the Fort Bend County Pct. 3 Commissioner's Office.