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Christian was born in Petaluma, California. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law.  He lived is Houston with his wife, Kaitlyn, and their son. He previously volunteered at MD Anderson Cancer Center and with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

Christian previously worked as an associate at the law firms, Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Norton Rose Fulbright. 


Christian D. Menefee currently serves as the Harris County Attorney. He was elected to this position in 2021 and is serving his first term. He is the youngest person and the first African-American to be elected Harris County Attorney. 

Office of the Harris County Attorney, Christian D. Menefee

Said since being elected as the County Attorney, he has "been at the forefront of legal battles with Republican state leaders like Governor Greg Abbott to protect elections, public health, and the environment."

As the Harris County Attorney for 3 years, Menefee is the chief civil lawyer for the county and represents the county and all elected officials and employees in all civil matters and lawsuits.

As an associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP for 2 years, Menefee researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, focused on complex commercial litigation and bankruptcy matters in federal courts and represented clients in matters involving the US Department of Justice, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other government agencies.

As an associate at Norton Rose Fulbright for 4 years, Menefee researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and focused on business litigation in federal and state courts.

- Said since being elected as the County Attorney, he has "been at the forefront of legal battles with Republican state leaders like Governor Greg Abbott to protect elections, public health, and the environment."
- As the Harris County Attorney for 3 years, Menefee is the chief civil lawyer for the county and represents the county and all elected officials and employees in all civil matters and lawsuits.
- As an associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP for 2 years, Menefee researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, focused on complex commercial litigation and bankruptcy matters in federal courts and represented clients in matters involving the US Department of Justice, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other government agencies.
- As an associate at Norton Rose Fulbright for 4 years, Menefee researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and focused on business litigation in federal and state courts.

Legal Experience

KHOU, Harris Co. announces settlement in lawsuit claiming companies deceptively marketed vapes to minors

HOUSTON PUBLIC MEDIA, Menefee charts defense of Harris County’s guaranteed income pilot program to AG

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ABC13, 'We see you': Harris County attorney pushes for apartment complexes to be held liable for neglect

As the Harris County Attorney, Menefee filed lawsuits against companies that have polluted in low-income neighborhoods.

As the Harris County Attorney, Menefee settled for approximately $7 million for a lawsuit he administered against cigarette companies for alleged deceptive marketing of Juul vapes to minors.

Defended the Uplift Harris program, a guaranteed income pilot program that provides  $500 per month to qualifying residents for 18 months, arguing it complies with the Texas Constitution.

Opposes "state agencies whose actions have resulted in harm to people living in Harris County."

Wants business owners in Texas to sue Governor Greg Abbott over his ban on vaccine mandates.

Plans to "hold negligent apartment complexes accountable for their lax treatment of tenants.'

Wants the state to update current air quality standards.

- As the Harris County Attorney, Menefee filed lawsuits against companies that have polluted in low-income neighborhoods.
- As the Harris County Attorney, Menefee settled for approximately $7 million for a lawsuit he administered against cigarette companies for alleged deceptive marketing of Juul vapes to minors.
- Defended the Uplift Harris program, a guaranteed income pilot program that provides  $500 per month to qualifying residents for 18 months, arguing it complies with the Texas Constitution.
- Opposes restrictive voting laws.
- Opposes "state agencies whose actions have resulted in harm to people living in Harris County."
- Wants business owners in Texas to sue Governor Greg Abbott over his ban on vaccine mandates.
- Plans to "hold negligent apartment complexes accountable for their lax treatment of tenants.'
- Wants the state to update current air quality standards.

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Christian D. Menefee

Jacqueline holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Lynn University and a law degree from South Texas College of Law at Houston. She is a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and a catechist for Catholic Faith Formation at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community. 

Jacqueline currently works as an attorney and managing partner at her own law firm, Lucci Smith Law, PLLC. She previously worked as an operational director and legal counsel at the Harris County Tax Office. She previously served on the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Harbor and as chair and vice-chair of the  St. Pius School Board. 

Ballotpedia, Jacqueline Lucci Smith

HOUSTON PUBLIC MEDIA, Democrat Kim Ogg Elected Harris County District Attorney

Jacqueline Lucci Smith previously served as the Judge of Harris County Civil Court at Law 2. She was elected to this position in 2007 and served for 1 full term. She also served as the Harris County Attorney and Assistant Attorney for 3 combined years. She ran for Harris County Attorney in 2016, but she did not win. 

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Opposes the program and believes it is unconstitutional and serves no public purpose.

Opposes the Uplift Harris program, which is a guaranteed income program that distributes $500 per month for 18 months to eligible households, saying it "does not offer assistance to all people of a certain income level, but only a select few...[and] is unconstitutional and fails to serve a public purpose."

Want to use county funds to develop a job training program in place of the Uplift Harris program "that will not discriminate- benefitting all Harris County residents."

As a managing partner at  Lucci Smith Law, PLLC for 11 years, Smith oversees finances and budgeting, shapes and enforces firm culture, helps attract new clients, manages and mentors legal associates, and guides growth in the firm’s legal practice areas.

- Opposes the Uplift Harris program, which is a guaranteed income program that distributes $500 per month for 18 months to eligible households, saying it "does not offer assistance to all people of a certain income level, but only a select few...[and] is unconstitutional and fails to serve a public purpose."
- Want to use county funds to develop a job training program in place of the Uplift Harris program "that will not discriminate- benefitting all Harris County residents."
- As a managing partner at  Lucci Smith Law, PLLC for 11 years, Smith oversees finances and budgeting, shapes and enforces firm culture, helps attract new clients, manages and mentors legal associates, and guides growth in the firm’s legal practice areas.

BIG JOLLY POLITICS, Interview with Jacqueline Lucci Smith for Harris County Attorney

Plans to manage the office in way to help reduce friction between the entities she defends and the public.

Plans to ensure Child Protective Services (CPS) upholds honesty and transparency.

Plans to have more checks and balances on CPS operations to ensure a "lack of accountability is not abused."

Plans to "listen to the concerns of individuals who interact with the hospital district on a regular basis and take steps to address repeated concerns."

Wants to improve the County Hospital District through faster medical records request response times and by working with other groups that offer similar services.

Said her desire to run for office is to " bring the County Attorney’s office back to its intended purpose – defending Harris County and ensuring that elected officials follow the law."

Plans to actively reach out to citizens with recorded debt to help educate them on ways to "catch up without having to incur extra penalties and fees."

Plans be proactive in dealing with citizen debt amount while allowing "individuals the opportunity to minimize any extra costs associated with the collection."

- Plans to manage the office in way to help reduce friction between the entities she defends and the public.
- Plans to ensure Child Protective Services (CPS) upholds honesty and transparency.
- Plans to have more checks and balances on CPS operations to ensure a "lack of accountability is not abused."
- Plans to "listen to the concerns of individuals who interact with the hospital district on a regular basis and take steps to address repeated concerns."
- Wants to improve the County Hospital District through faster medical records request response times and by working with other groups that offer similar services.
- Said her desire to run for office is to " bring the County Attorney’s office back to its intended purpose – defending Harris County and ensuring that elected officials follow the law."
- Plans to actively reach out to citizens with recorded debt to help educate them on ways to "catch up without having to incur extra penalties and fees."
- Plans be proactive in dealing with citizen debt amount while allowing "individuals the opportunity to minimize any extra costs associated with the collection."

Jacqueline Lucci Smith

- A county attorney handles misdemeanor criminal cases for the state and offers legal counsel to the Commissioners Court and other elected officials.
Brings civil enforcement actions on behalf of the state or county.
- A county attorney represents victims of family violence in protective orders, handles child abuse and neglect cases for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and represents the state in mental health commitment petitions.
- County attorneys are elected to four-year terms by the voters of their county.
Works with law enforcement officers in the investigation of criminal cases.
- Annual salaries of county attorneys vary but range between $64,800 and $118,700 depending on the size of the county. 

Harris County Attorney

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