Maria Theresa ruled for 40 years.
Melinda Sue -LRB- Furche -RRB- Harmon -LRB- born November 1 , 1946 in Port Arthur , Texas -RRB- is a U.S. District Court Judge , best known as the lead judge in the subsequently overruled Arthur Andersen trial .. Arthur Andersen. Arthur Andersen. trial. Arthur Andersen LLP v. United States. Civil lawsuits against Enron were consolidated in her court ; she oversaw class action lawsuits on behalf of both Enron shareholders and its employees .. Enron. Enron. Born in Port Arthur , Texas , Harmon attended high school in Justin , Texas , then received an A.B. from Radcliffe College in 1969 , followed by a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1972 .. Radcliffe College. Radcliffe College. University of Texas School of Law. University of Texas School of Law. Harmon worked as a trial lawyer for Exxon Company , USA for 12 years during the 1970s and 1980s .. trial. Arthur Andersen LLP v. United States. In 1986 she ran unsuccessfully for election to a state district court bench , but was appointed by the Governor of Texas to a vacancy in the district court of Harris County , Texas , in 1987 , a seat that she successfully retained by election in 1988 .. On February 28 , 1989 , Harmon was nominated by President George H. W. Bush to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas vacated by John V. Singleton , Jr. .. George H. W. Bush. George H. W. Bush. United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Harmon was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 18 , 1989 , and received her commission on May 22 , 1989 .. United States Senate. United States Senate