View source for Larry Joe Doherty

{{short description|American lawyer}}
{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=September 2022}}

{{Infobox person
|name = Larry Joe Doherty
|image = 
|caption = 
|nickname = LJD
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1946|7|29|mf=y}}
|birth_place = [[Hillsboro, Texas]], U.S.
|death_date =
|death_place =
|occupation = attorney, judge, TV show host
|yearsactive = 2001–2005, as host of <br /> ''[[Texas Justice]]'' TV program
|spouse = Joanne, 1960s–present
|children =
}}

'''Larry Joe Doherty''' or '''LJD''' (born July 29, 1946) is a Texas legal ethics [[Lawyer|attorney]] and former television star of the syndicated [[Court show|courtroom show]] ''[[Texas Justice]]''. He was the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] candidate for the 10th Congressional District of Texas in 2008, unsuccessfully challenging incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Michael McCaul]]. Born in [[Hillsboro, Texas]], Doherty is married to Joanne Doherty.

==Legal career==
Doherty received a J.D. (Juris Doctor) from the [[University of Houston]] in 1970. He is a member of the Houston Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas. Doherty is a senior partner in the [[Houston]] law firm Doherty, Long & Wagner. Doherty specializes in [[legal malpractice]] cases.

Doherty is considered a pioneer in the field of [[legal malpractice]], making a name for himself as the lawyer who sued other lawyers. He built a highly successful practice holding other attorneys accountable for misrepresenting their clients. As a senior partner in the law firm of Doherty, Long and Wagner, Larry Joe specialized in legal malpractice, because, as he explains, "people need to believe that the rule of law applies equally to everyone - and that no one, no matter how powerful, is beyond being held accountable for their actions."<ref>[http://washingtoncountydemocrats.blogspot.com/2008/09/larry-joe-doherty-us-congress-district.html Washington County Democrats] (9/6/2008)</ref>

Doherty and his wife Joanne have endowed a Chair on Ethics at the [[University of Houston Law Center]].

==Television show==
Doherty starred in the show ''[[Texas Justice]]'' from 2001–2005. The [[court show]] is currently in syndication. Doherty judged cases in the show, making legally binding decisions. The series lasted for 5 seasons, from March 26, 2001, until May 20, 2005. It was officially cancelled in September 2005.

Doherty's style on the show drew a contrast with other TV court shows that emphasize conflict between parties. Instead, Doherty was known for focusing on the root causes of the personal conflicts and emphasizing the importance of litigants to accept responsibility for their actions. According to a piece in [[Slate (magazine)|''Slate'']] by [[Virginia Heffernan]], "In his questioning, he looks for signs of affection and agreement.... He orchestrates things so that each case imparts a small emotional lesson ("be kind," "lighten up")."<ref>Virginia Heffernan, [http://www.slate.com/id/2066153/ "Y'all Rise: Texas Justice is more forgiving than you think"], ''Slate'' (May 23, 2002).</ref> A 2009 commentary on ''Texas Justice'' states, "Judge Larry Joe's appeal lay in his accent, his double entendres, his ear for the rhythm of people's speech, his ability to rhyme on a dime, and the way he gently poked fun at the litigants. His lack of actual judicial experience might explain why ruling on the cases was not his strong suit."<ref name="entertainmentrankings.com">Entertainment Rankings, [http://www.entertainmentrankings.com/articles.php?id=7 "Court TV: the Original Reality Television"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130122042806/http://www.entertainmentrankings.com/articles.php?id=7 |date=2013-01-22 }}, 8/8/2009.</ref>

==2008 Congressional campaign==
{{See also|United States House of Representatives elections in Texas, 2008#District 10}}
On April 4, 2007, Doherty announced his candidacy for the [[United States House of Representatives]] for the [[Texas's 10th congressional district|Tenth Congressional District]] of Texas, the seat currently held by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Michael McCaul]]. Doherty entered the race after McCaul's relatively low 2006 win percentage against Democratic opponent Ted Ankrum.<ref>[http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002540815 CQ Politics | ’06 Dropoff by GOP Texan McCaul Has Dems Eyeing Prospects<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031143013/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002540815 |date=2008-10-31 }}</ref> The district had been designed to be safe for Republicans, but the [[Austin Chronicle]] noted:

<blockquote>Now, here we are five years down the road from [[Tom DeLay]]'s infamous re-redistricting of Texas. DeLay is gone from Congress, disgraced. Nationally, voters swept the Republican "permanence" away in 2006. Even DeLay's seat is now held by a Democrat, one of the very politicians whose career he tried to end. And here in Austin, another of those supposedly safe seats is under serious threat.<ref name="The Man in the White Hat">Austin Chronicle, [http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid:681360 "The Man in the White Hat"], 10/3/2008.</ref></blockquote>

Doherty's challenge generated intense interest among Texas and national political observers, as a seat previously thought to be "safe Republican" looked increasingly competitive. However, Doherty first had to survive the Democratic primary.<ref>Austin Chronicle, [http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A559075 "Capturing the Dragon"], 11/9/2007.</ref>

===Democratic primary===

Doherty decisively defeated primary challenger [[Dan Grant]] on the March 4, 2008 primary, with 61% to 39% out of 85,000 votes cast.<ref>Austin Chronicle, [http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Blogs/News/?oid=oid:599411 "Doherty's Win Was Absolute"], 3/5/2008</ref>

During the primary, Doherty was criticized by supporters of his primary opponent because his campaign treasurer, Houston philanthropist Jim "[[Mattress Mac]]" McIngvale, had participated in a fundraiser for [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Mitt Romney]]'s presidential campaign. Doherty used the criticism as an opportunity to point out his political independence. "I'm not going to be anybody's rubber stamp, and my treasurer is free to support anybody he wants to," Doherty said. "This is an independent country, last time I checked."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/01/28/0128tenth.html |title=Two Democrats seek nomination to challenge McCaul |accessdate=2008-01-28 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131191722/http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/01/28/0128tenth.html |archivedate=2008-01-31 }}</ref>

{{Election box begin no change
| title= March, 2008 U.S. House Texas Congressional District 10 Democratic Primary Election.}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = Larry Joe Doherty
  |votes      = 51,977
  |percentage = 61.11
 }}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = Dan Grant
  |votes      = 33,072
  |percentage = 38.88
 }}
{{Election box end}}

===Campaign message===
Focusing on his own record in legal ethics, Doherty's critique of McCaul focused on the incumbent's association with former Republican Majority Leader [[Tom DeLay]]. One mail piece highlighted McCaul's vote to change House ethics rules in a way that would have allegedly benefited DeLay.<ref>Houston Chronicle, [http://blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics/archives/2008/10/hard_hit_direct.html "Hard hitting direct mail in Congressional District 10"], 10/14/2008.</ref> Doherty's campaign also aired a television ad titled, "The Code," attempting to tie McCaul to the unfolding financial crisis by highlighting McCaul's Wall Street contributions and his vote against capping CEO salaries.<ref>{{YouTube|TSUnoHwVRSc}}</ref>

McCaul refused to face Doherty in a debate setting. According to the ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'', "McCaul, an Austin Republican representing the district that includes a chunk of northwest Harris County, steadfastly refuses to debate his Democratic opponent, a colorful lawyer who once served as judge on the TV series Texas Justice."<ref>Houston Chronicle, [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/cyfair/news/6071278.html "McCaul faces Democratic challenge in 10th district"], 10/21/2008.</ref> The Austin American Statesman provided three possible dates to McCaul's campaign, which were rejected.<ref>Austin American Statesman, [http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2008/09/22/mccaul_turns_down_statesman_de.html "McCaul turns down Statesman debate offer "] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107171439/http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2008/09/22/mccaul_turns_down_statesman_de.html |date=2010-01-07 }}, 9/22/2008.</ref> Doherty and McCaul are believed to have only met once during the campaign, at a ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' interview.<ref>Houston Chronicle, [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/cyfair/news/6081148.html "District 10 candidates clash over the issues"], 10/27/2008.</ref>

The Statesman later endorsed Doherty's candidacy, citing McCaul's refusal to debate.[http://www.offthekuff.com/mt/archives2/2008/10/012662.html]

===National Democratic support===
Doherty's strong fundraising efforts and closing polling numbers elevated the race's national profile. Originally considered "Safe Republican" and a long shot at best for a Democratic challenger, the respected [[Cook Political Report]] eventually upgraded the race over time to "Leans Republican." In mid-October, the [[Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee]] (DCCC) designated the district a member of its "Red to Blue" program, directing additional funds and national support to Doherty's campaign. Former U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]] also recorded a [[robocall]] urging support for Doherty.<ref>Burnt Orange Report, [http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=7317 "TX-10: Bill Clinton Records Robocall for Larry Joe Doherty"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081129111708/http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=7317 |date=2008-11-29 }}, 11/2/2008.</ref>

===Iraq quote controversy===
In October 2008, McCaul supporters criticized Doherty's controversial comments on the Iraq War in an interview with the [[Austin Chronicle]] that, "We've killed children for oil [in Iraq]."<ref name="The Man in the White Hat"/> An Iraq War veteran, James Crabtree, criticized Doherty's comment in a letter, in online postings, on various radio programs, and eventually organized a protest at the Doherty for Congress campaign office.<ref>James Crabtree,  [http://www.realpolitix.com/2008/10/06/when-politics-becomes-intensely-personal/ "When Politics Becomes Intensely Personal"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024030559/http://www.realpolitix.com/2008/10/06/when-politics-becomes-intensely-personal/ |date=2008-10-24 }}, 10/6/2008.</ref> Doherty's statement produced a stern response from various veterans, [[Vets for Freedom]], and [[Gold Star Mothers Club|Gold Star]] parents that felt his quote was akin to calling troops "baby killers" during the Vietnam War. They called on Doherty to apologize or explain his remarks.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} Doherty and his campaign never responded to this controversy.

===Television show controversy===

Attempting to generate press late in the campaign, Doherty's opponent McCaul recycled attempts by supporters of Doherty's primary opponent to insinuate Doherty was racially insensitive. McCaul's campaign released a series of clips from Doherty's show, ''Texas Justice'', claiming Doherty mocked [[African-American]] participants. Also, Doherty was endorsed early in his campaign by the Black Austin Democrats and the Houston Black American Democrats,{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} and independent polling showed Doherty with a 7-to-1 advantage over McCaul among African-American voters.<ref>IVR Polls, [http://www.swingstateproject.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2142 TX-10 Leans Red, Moving Blue] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613094635/http://www.swingstateproject.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2142 |date=2011-06-13 }}, 6/3/2008.</ref>

Doherty's campaign spokesperson responded, "He gets a great response to it. People still identify him with it and they truly loved watching that show. What he always worked to do through each episode was to let people know what they did wrong and that there's hope."<ref>Austin American Statesman, [http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2008/10/21/larry_joe_doherty_and_texas_ju.html "Did candidate for Congress go too far in court TV show?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607152736/http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2008/10/21/larry_joe_doherty_and_texas_ju.html |date=2011-06-07 }} 10/21/2008.</ref> And one entertainment reviewer directly refuted McCaul's attack:

<blockquote>But, the criticism of a political opponent that he mocked African-Americans on the show was entirely undeserved. When it came to mocking litigants, Larry Joe was equal opportunity all the way.<ref name="entertainmentrankings.com"/></blockquote>

McCaul's use without permission of material from a blogger who supported Doherty's primary opponent led to McCaul's website being blocked from the Internet.<ref>Austin Chronicle, [http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Blogs/News/?oid=694444 "Where Did Mike McCaul's Cyberpresence Go?"], 10/24/2008.</ref>

===Election results===

Doherty lost to McCaul by a 54% (179,493) to 43% (143,719) margin with the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]], Matt Finkel, taking the remainder of the votes. McCaul won majorities in six of the eight counties in the district and overcame Doherty's 77,043 votes (60%) in liberal [[Travis County]] by running up 98,122 votes (68%) in the conservative northwest portions of [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/county/#TXH10p1 | work=CNN | title=County Results - Election Center 2008 - Elections & Politics from CNN.com | accessdate=May 7, 2010}}</ref>

Doherty would be named by the ''[[Austin Chronicle]]'' as the "biggest loser" for the fact that he received more votes than nine other candidates that won their congressional elections.<ref>http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Blogs/News?oid=oid%3A731479</ref>

{{Election box begin no change
| title= 2008 U.S. House Texas Congressional District 10 Election.}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Republican Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Michael McCaul]]
  |votes      = 179,493
  |percentage = 53.9
 }}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = Larry Joe Doherty
  |votes      = 143,719
  |percentage = 43.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Libertarian Party (US)
  |candidate  = Matt Finkel
  |votes      = 9,871
  |percentage = 2.96
  }}
{{Election box end}}

==Continued political activism==

In December 2008 Larry Joe Doherty emailed his supporters and pleaded for them to support the runoff election of [[Chris Bell (politician)|Chris Bell]] for a [[Houston, Texas]] area state senate seat. Doherty stated that, "I'm asking you to make a difference in another important battle: Chris Bell for Texas Senate.... This is the last battleground of 2008, and Chris's victory is important to all Democrats and Texans who want change in Austin.... My friend Chris is the type of Democratic leader Texas needs -- a true visionary who will fight for real reform in the Texas Senate." Bell would earn only 43% of the vote and lose the election on Tuesday, December 16, 2008.

Doherty organized the South Central Texas Water Conservation Conference at Brenham, Texas, on October 3, 2009, under the auspices of the Texas Wildlife Association.

On August 10, 2009, Doherty publicly endorsed Jack McDonald's Democratic candidacy for McCaul's congressional seat.<ref>Burnt Orange Report, [http://burntorangereport.com/diary/9124/tx10-larry-joe-doherty-endorses-jack-mcdonald-for-congressTX-10: Larry Joe Doherty Endorses Jack McDonald for Congress], 8/10/2009.</ref> McDonald would then quit before the election.

==Environmentalism==
Larry Joe Doherty is a former president of the [[Washington County, Texas|Washington County]] Wildlife Society and a former board member of the Texas Wildlife Association, as well as a past member of the Texas Quail Council, an official advisory group to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. Doherty maintains the "Long Star Ranch," near [[Brenham, Texas]], as a {{convert|270|acre|km2|adj=on}} wildlife habitat and native grass restoration project.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://larryjoe.com Larry Joe Doherty for U.S. Congress] ''Official campaign website''
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071012223147/http://texasjusticetv.com/ Texas Justice TV show]
*[http://www.dlwlawyers.com Doherty, Long & Wagner]
*{{YouTube|TSUnoHwVRSc|"The Code"}} Doherty for Congress, general election ad
*{{YouTube|nhJYsHJEqVU|"Wall of Shame"}} Doherty for Congress, Democratic primary ad
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080918182655/http://www.pollster.com/polls/tx/08-tx-10-ge-mvd.php Pollster.com '2008 Texas CD-10 General Election']
* {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=102242 | fec=H8TX10052 | congress= }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080410182715/http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?cycle=2008&id=TX10 Campaign contributions] at [[OpenSecrets.org]]
*[http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid:681360 The Man in the White Hat] - ''[[Austin Chronicle]]'' - October 3, 2008
*[http://www.offthekuff.com/mt/archives2/2008/10/012705.html Interview with Larry Joe Doherty] by [[Off the Kuff]]
*[https://archive.today/20130415095359/http://kut.org/items/show/14354 KUT interview with Larry Joe Doherty]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Doherty, Larry Joe}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:University of Houston alumni]]
[[Category:Lawyers from Houston]]
[[Category:Texas Democrats]]
[[Category:Television judges]]
[[Category:People from Hillsboro, Texas]]