We were lucky to catch up with Je’Rell Rogers recently and have shared our conversation below.

Je’Rell, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

In May 2021, after practicing law for 8 years, I decided to run for a criminal judge seat in Harris County (Houston), Texas. Depending on who you asked, some people thought I was too young to run. Some thought I needed more experience, particularly since I was challenging an incumbent with about five times my experience. Many, given the political nature of the race and politics at the time, questioned the very motives behind my candidacy. This is the vulnerability a person subjects themselves to when they toss their name in the ring. But, along with that vulnerability comes risk. How would this impact my current practice and the cases I am currently handling? What kind of toll will this take on my family? Do I have the physical and mental stamina, as well as the financial means, to sustain a campaign in the 4th largest city (and its surrounding areas) in the United States? And, if I lose– then what?

One life lesson I’ve learned from the gym is that growth comes through pressure. Time under tension. The things that make you most uncomfortable emphasize the areas in which we have room for growth and, will serve as a launching pad to achieving greatness on an entirely new level. For me, I do not like to ask for help. In my mind, if I couldn’t get the job done by myself, then it was not a job worth doing. However in politics, this mindset will not take you far. It is uncomfortable asking friends for money. It is uncomfortable knocking on a stranger’s door. It is uncomfortable to stand in the Houston heat for 8 hours at polling stations asking voters to consider casting a vote for your down the ballot race. It is uncomfortable– but so is losing and not putting forth my best effort in every single thing I do. I quickly got over my discomfort but I didn’t do it alone.

I was blessed to have a network of support but that network did not do me any good until I asked for their help. And that network, from top to bottom, responded. Did I ultimately win the race? No. Nevertheless, many things were accomplished.. Accomplishments such as beating the aforementioned incumbent in the primary election. Accomplishments like raising well over $45,000.00 as a first time candidate with little to no name recognition. Accomplishments such as obtaining numerous endorsements from well respected individuals and organizations in Harris County. The accomplishments are what I focus on as I prepare for the next step which is to come.

Je’Rell, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an attorney in the Houston, TX area. After graduating from Notre Dame in 2008 and the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University, I moved to Houston to work for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Since 2013, I have served Harris County as an assistant district attorney. I am currently a Felony District Court Chief and my responsibilities include handling murders and capital murder trials, while also assisting more junior prosecutors in all aspects with the cases on their respective dockets.

The same dedication and attention to detail I give in the courtroom, I try to apply it to the weight room as well. As a cheerleader at Notre Dame, I learned the importance of taking care of the one body we’ve been given. In 2021– while also running for Judge– I decided to train for and compete in my first bodybuilding show. In two different shows that year, I placed in the top 5 of my division and ever since then I’ve been a “pseudo fitness enthusiast”, sharing my knowledge and love of fitness with anyone who will listen, all in an effort to reach my ultimate fitness goal– a “pseudo fitness influencer”.

Any advice for managing a team?

One thing about people, regardless of backgrounds and beliefs and experiences– people like to be respected. People like to be valued. And, people like to be trusted. The lawyers I supervise have a law degree just like me and they have a law license just like me. While I may have more experience than they have, they often have different experiences than I have. Experience is a far better teacher than I will ever be. Thus, when a new lawyer gets assigned to me, I give them that decency of treating them like a lawyer. I allow them to make their own decisions. I do not micromanage. And, since they are human, I fully anticipate and expect for them to make mistakes. And then together, as a team, we learn together from the mistakes and then grow from them.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Whether in the gym or in the courtroom, in order to be successful, you must be consistent. In the gym, your body will respond and get stronger because of consistency. Every rep gets a little easier. Every muscle gets a little stronger. In the courtroom, consistency will be recognized by the judge, opposing counsel, and jurors. Being consistently prepared to make an argument before a judge, or consistently being knowledgeable about cases when talking with your opponent or consistent with the way you present yourself before a jury is a mere foundation piece of the profession, but it is the foundation that provides the structure for the whole practice.

Being consistent will certainly give you a reputation among your peers. Whether that reputation is positive or negative will be determined by you and your preparation or lack thereof.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: JeRellevant; JeRell4Judge
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeRell.Rogers

Image Credits
Dean Greene Joel Alfaro