Harris County commissioners have officially appointed Deputy County Attorney Jonathan Fombonne as the county’s interim chief legal advisor, ending months of delay in filling the post. The move follows County Attorney Christian Menefee’s resignation to run for Houston’s 18th Congressional District. Menefee had been serving in an acting capacity since last March.
Fombonne previously served as Menefee’s direct advisor, overseeing the county’s litigation efforts. Speaking to commissioners Thursday, he emphasized a practical, collaborative approach to the role: “Helping you understand the legal landscape, finding solutions to legal problems, raising issues when we need to and staying out of the way when we don’t,” he said.
During his tenure, Menefee gained attention for using his office to challenge federal policies, particularly those of former President Donald Trump. It is not yet clear whether Fombonne will pursue a similar approach.
The interim appointment will last through the end of 2026. The county attorney position will appear on the ballot later this year, with three candidates currently filed: Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin, civil court Judge Audrie Lawton-Evans (both Democrats), and Republican Jacqueline Lucci Smith, a former civil court judge who once worked in the county attorney’s office.
Menefee praised his team’s work in leaving a “bold, smart and effective” office, highlighting efforts such as taking delinquent property taxes in-house and negotiating land acquisitions for the Armand Bayou nature preserve. Fombonne succeeds him with a mandate to continue providing legal guidance to county leadership while focusing on practical solutions.