Sec. 171.010.  PRACTICE OF LAW.  (a)  For purposes of this chapter, a county judge or county commissioner engaged in the private practice of law has a substantial interest in a business entity if the official has entered a court appearance or signed court pleadings in a matter relating to that business entity.
(b)  A county judge or county commissioner that has a substantial interest in a business entity as described by Subsection (a) must comply with this chapter.
(c)  A judge of a constitutional county court may not enter a court appearance or sign court pleadings as an attorney in any matter before:
(1)  the court over which the judge presides;  or
(2)  any court in this state over which the judge's court exercises appellate jurisdiction.
(d)  Upon compliance with this chapter, a county judge or commissioner may practice law in the courts located in the county where the county judge or commissioner serves.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 227, Sec. 21, eff. Sept. 1, 2003;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1206, Sec. 3, eff. June 20, 2003.