The Honorable William M. Hatten
Class of 1931

Judge Bill Hatten had quite a career as an attorney before becoming judge. In 1943, together with Attorney Garvey Brown, he represented Heindrick Meyer in the highly publicized case of United States of America vs. Heindrick Karl Ernst Martin Meyer. In 1971 he was assigned the Henley-Brooks Mass Murder Trial about the Heights serial killer. Both of these cases attracted national media attention.

Commissioners Court appointed Bill to the Board of the Harris County Houston Ship Channel Navigation District from 1960 until 1964, when he resigned to become Judge of the Court of Domestic Relations. Then in 1971, Governor Preston Smith appointed him judge of the 176th District Court (criminal cases).

After being elected in November 1972 as a State Judge, Hatten served until his forced retirement at age 75 in 1988, but continues to serve as Senior Judge to this date. Judge Hatten, who is an active member of All Saints Catholic Chruch, served as substitute Corporate Judge under four mayors of the City of Houston - Holcombe, Hofheinz, Cutrer and Welch.

Inducted into St. Thomas Hall of Honor November 20, 2003.