Judge Roy Ferguson on “Lawyer Cat,” Discovery Violations & Private Judging - Ep 31

In Episode 31 of Cases & Cocktails, Bryan and Janice Eggleston welcome a very special guest: the Honorable Judge Roy Ferguson. Known nationwide for the viral “Lawyer Cat” Zoom hearing during the COVID-19 pandemic, Judge Ferguson brings far more to the table than internet fame, offering insight into judicial professionalism, discovery abuse, and the growing need for private judging in today’s overburdened court system.

The Man Behind “Lawyer Cat”

Judge Ferguson gained widespread recognition in 2021 after presiding over a virtual court hearing where an attorney appeared as a cat due to a Zoom filter glitch. Instead of embarrassment or contempt, Judge Ferguson responded with calm professionalism: “I’m here live. I’m not a cat.” His response, now iconic, was a masterclass in grace under pressure.

In the episode, he shares the backstory, revealing that the filter mishap lasted several minutes before the hearing even began. Rather than scolding the attorney, Ferguson prioritized helping resolve the issue and moving the hearing forward, setting an example for judicial temperament and empathy.

Holding the State Accountable

More recently, Judge Ferguson made headlines for issuing sanctions against the El Paso District Attorney’s Office for systematically failing to turn over required discovery in felony criminal cases. After a three-day evidentiary hearing, he ruled that the DA’s office had withheld massive amounts of Brady and 39.14 material—critical information the defense was entitled to under Texas law.

The defense attorneys who brought the motion provided overwhelming evidence, including time-stamped screenshots that showed discovery documents had been mysteriously “backdated” in the state’s online portal. The ruling, which did not dismiss the cases but suppressed improperly withheld evidence, sent a clear message about integrity and accountability in the justice system.

Defense attorneys described the outcome in one word: validation.

Introducing Private Judging: A New Alternative for Texas Courts

With over a decade of experience on the bench and extensive appellate experience, Judge Ferguson now offers private judging—a little-known yet powerful tool in Texas family law. Under Chapter 151 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code, parties can agree to have a retired judge hear their case privately, with all the authority of a public court—but without the delays, stacked dockets, or public scrutiny.

Private judging (also known as “special judging”) allows for:

✔ Custom scheduling with no risk of being bumped
 ✔ Real-time rulings by a dedicated judge
 ✔ Confidential hearings outside the public courthouse
 ✔ Fully enforceable and appealable decisions

Clients split the judge’s flat-rate fee, and cases are resolved with fewer delays, fewer costs over time, and greater control. As Judge Ferguson explains, “You pay a little more upfront, but you could save thousands by avoiding endless resets, limited hearing time, and waiting months—or years—for your case to be reached.”

His website, JudgeRoyFerguson.com, outlines available services, scheduling, and more.

Final Thoughts

Episode 31 of Cases & Cocktails offers a rare glimpse behind the bench, revealing the humor, humanity, and hard truths of modern Texas courts. Whether you’re a litigator, a parent in a custody case, or just someone who remembers “I’m not a cat,” this episode is packed with insight.

📅 Tune in next week for another installment of Cases & Cocktails. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for honest legal conversations, real-life case stories, and cocktails served with a twist.

Would you like a shortened version of this for social media or your newsletter?