It’s a new period in Texas. Chief Justice Nathan Hecht stepped down in December after a distinguished profession that spanned greater than three many years. I’d wager the dad and mom of Hecht’s closing crop of clerks weren’t even in faculty when Hecht was appointed to SCOTX.
At present, Governor Abbott has elevated Justice Jimmy Blacklock to the Chief Justice Place.
Governor Abbott first appointed Justice Blacklock to the Courtroom in 2018. Justice Blacklock was born in Houston and grew up in Missouri Metropolis, Texas, the place he attended public college, graduating from Elkins Excessive Faculty. He then graduated from the College of Texas at Austin and from Yale Legislation Faculty. Earlier than becoming a member of the Courtroom, Justice Blacklock served as Governor Abbott’s common counsel and within the Legal professional Basic’s workplace, the place he practiced appellate litigation amongst different duties. Justice Blacklock was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve within the U.S. Division of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. He clerked for Choose Jerry Smith on the U.S. Courtroom of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and labored in non-public observe in Houston and Austin. He lives in Austin together with his spouse and their three daughters.
And Abbott nominated James P. Sullivan to fill Justice Blacklock’s outdated seat.
Sullivan has served because the governor’s Basic Counsel since 2021. He beforehand served as Assistant Solicitor Basic of Texas and Deputy Basic Counsel to the governor. He earned his Bachelor of Arts diploma at Rice College. A Harvard Legislation graduate, Sullivan was a legislation clerk to Choose Thomas B. Griffith on the U.S. Courtroom of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, has served as an adjunct professor at George Mason College, and has been an appellate litigator in non-public observe.
Congratulations to them each!
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