Justice Ken Molberg of Fifth District Court of Appeals resigned from a promising career in rock ‘n’ roll to enter the legal world.
Molberg, who was influenced by the German and Latino culture of Texas Hill Country found his natural outlet in the music. In 1966, that meant rock ‘n’ roll. In those days, we had little to do so four friends got together and started a band. Molberg says, “To our surprise, we were a big hit.”
The Fugitives, and then The Crossfires released several records that were well received in different markets. Capitol Records, and later Colgems, were impressed enough to sign the group to a contract. Molberg claims that Colgems changed the name of the group to The Fountain of Youth. “I hated it,” Molberg said. Molberg, in addition to his time with the group, also worked as a recording studio musician. He performed with some of the most popular performers at the time. He remembers fondly drinking coffee with Mike Nesmith, a fellow Texan from the Monkees. He worked in the studio with Hoyt axton and Steppenwolf.
Molberg was unhappy with the direction his band was being taken by the record company. He walked in to the head office one day, quit the business of music, and went back to Texas.
From Chords To Courts
Molberg considered a journalism career while earning his Bachelor of Arts at the University of North Texas. He was editor-in chief of the North Texas Daily. He earned his Juris Doctor in 1976 from Southern Methodist University School of Law. He served as the managing editor of SMU Law Review, and was also a member The Barristers.
He began his legal career at the Law Offices James C. Barber, and was a shareholder and founder of Wilson, Williams & Molberg, P.C. in 1981.
He was one of the rare trial lawyers and appellate lawyers for 33 years. He tried and handled hundreds of civil cases in federal and state courts, including personal injuries, products liability claims, civil rights, contracts, election law and voting rights. He specialized in employment and labor law. He has also gained considerable appellate experience in both state and federal courts.
But, this level of success was not enough. This fact was brought home to him one evening, after a period of intense work in which he had handled six difficult and exhausting cases. One evening, I told my wife Linda that if she didn’t run for district judge, we would move to Guatemala. Molberg’s family loves to travel, and they have spent years in Central America, South America and Mexico. It was no pipe dream to leave for this destination.
His challenge was solved by his role as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Dallas County, where he helped others reach their goal of becoming a judge. One of his colleagues approached him to suggest that it was high time he also took a seat behind the bench.
“It was the logical thing to do.” Molberg says, “The trial court was home.”
Singing A New Tune
Molberg was elected to the Fifth District Court of Appeals by the voters of the Fifth District in 2018. Molberg previously served as a judge of the 95th District Court of Texas for 10 years. He was the local administrative district court judge for Dallas County during four of these years. This included responsibility for 39 district courts in the county. He also served as the Civil District Courts presiding Judge of the County for three terms.
The Dallas Bar Association has awarded him the Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn Jurist Award 2022. The award was created to honor judges that make significant contributions to legal communities, display high ideals and personal character, and demonstrate judicial competency.
He was named Jurist of The Year by TEXABOTA in 2017, the statewide parent organisation for the Texas Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He was awarded the Trial Judge of the year award in 2011 by the Dallas Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. In 2012, he joined the board of directors of the Dallas Bar Association. In 2016, he was also awarded the Charles J. Murray Award for Outstanding Jurists, given annually by the Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association.
He was a longtime member of Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, a founding member and former president of Texas Employment Lawyers Association. He also served as a director and director emeritus of Texas Trial Lawyers Association.
Justice Molberg, from his rural roots to recording contracts to journalism to the law and finally to the public service, has progressed as a person.
Looking back, I can see the connection between my early years in music and my career as a lawyer. Like music, the law is a powerful force that brings people together. “I’m lucky to be a part of making some of that music.”
The article Ken Molberg, Justice: From Guitars To Gavel first appeared on Attorney at Law Magazine.