Appellate law firm partner. Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law in Texas. Written over 100 appellate briefs. Participated in 8 criminal trials and 15 civil trials as court staff or legal counsel.
My lodestar will always be the people I serve and the job they elect me to do. "We the People" formed our laws through our constitution and statutes. I will always remember that the laws I interpret were created by and for the People. I will explain my reasoning in opinions written for the public, and I will also encourage my staff and other judges to challenge me if ever they think I stray.
The Court has a great pro bono program, and it should improve outreach of that program to ensure more people have access to their right to appeal adverse trial-court rulings. Also, judges should remember that their opinions are written for everyone. I will strive to draft opinions with more plain English and less legalese, so more Texans can understand the law without needing a lawyer.
Courts face increasing pressure from partisan actors seeking political outcomes, not justice. Judges strive to be fair, but we all have our blind spots. Most of the judges on this Court are elected Republicans, and that is their blind spot. If such pressure comes, I will use my advocacy experience to persuade them to set aside those biases. If necessary, I will vigorously and publicly dissent.
Our society uses law to resolve disputes as peacefully as possible, so predictability and consistency matter. I will thus follow precedent and the plain meaning of the law where it clearly compels a certain result. But when the law or its application is unclear, I will carefully consider every possible argument or precedent and seek to protect individual rights and democratic values.
14 years litigating constitutional rights (including recognition as a Super Lawyer), two years as a staff attorney to a court of appeals, dozens of appointments, and teaching law to lawyers yearly.
Appellate opinions usually contain a researched explanation that is developed with the assistance of staff attorneys and approved by at least two justices. These opinions are recorded and available for public scrutiny. My website has exemplars of my steadfast dedication to protecting the People's rights and I will not sacrifice my reputation to protect special interests.
The appellate courts can at least (1) remand with instructions to appoint (or reappoint) counsel when it is necessary and appropriate; (2) carefully review claims concerning ineffective assistance of counsel; (3) teach lawyers and law students how to be better advocates; (4) educate organizations about resources through which counsel can be acquired; and (5) hire diverse interns and staff.
Partisan uniformity (at least with respect to Texas' appellate courts). I propose addressing it by being elected and continuing my longstanding practice of acquiring and training interns from diverse backgrounds.
Living constitutionalism supplemented by textualism (particularly outside of the constitutional context) and broad constructionism (particularly when interpreting ambiguities).
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