Harold R. DeMoss, Jr.

Biography

Harold R. DeMoss Jr. served as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, where from 1992 until taking senior status he handled complex appeals with careful reasoning and a deep respect for precedent. A Houston native, he brought to the bench the same steadiness that marked his earlier years in private practice, always striving to ensure litigants were heard fully before decisions were rendered.

Inside and outside the courthouse he mentored young lawyers, championed pro bono service, and prized collegial dialogue among judges across the circuit. His colleagues remember him for a calm courtroom presence and a consistent effort to balance the law's demands with compassion for the people who appeared before him.