Current Justice, 15th Court of Appeals. Previously Justice on the Third Court of Appeals and Judge of the 480th District Court, Williamson County. Eleven years as judge; 20 years private practice.
Our campaign donations are limited to small amounts that will not influence decisions. I comply with those limits. Many news outlets have correctly written on our court's judicial independence. I do not allow politics to play a role in deciding a case.
For an appeals court, the barriers are fewer than in other courts. But one barrier is the cost of the trial court record for litigants. My hope is that measures can be taken to reduce those costs, whether it be from free access to clerk's records or use of AI to streamline record preparation.
As a court of appeals, we are bound to follow Texas Supreme Court precedent. Absent a new case from that court that is in conflict with a prior ruling, then the other cause for a change would be a new or modified law created by the Legislature. We do not make law, we follow it; we would therefore ensure that our cases follow any new or modified law.
To apply the law in every case as written, without regard for who wins or loses a given case. In other words, no matter who the parties to the case or the lawyers involved in the case are, my decisions cannot and will not change.
I served 2019 - 2024 as Justice, Place 5, Third Court of Appeals, Austin, which had jurisdiction over the cases now within this new court's jurisdiction. I have 42 years of law experience.
I will ensure my rulings remain impartial and free from outside influence by focusing on the reporter's and clerk's records from the trial court, studying the applicable state and federal law and collaborating with my staff counsel and talking to the panel about the court's decision. I will not be concerned with running again for this office as I will not seek another term to this Court.
The biggest barrier to access to the court system is legal representation. The Court can reduce that barrier by fostering pro bono representation through the State Bar of Texas and its
appellate law community. Alternatively, the Court can provide tools for litigants to represent themselves if the pro bono options are lacking. Education of the public about this new court is needed.
The Court should first determine whether precedent and stare decisis strictly control our decision. A court should consider changing a past court ruling where it causes a manifest injustice to a class of persons or it leads to some fundamental unfairness in justice. This appellate court must defer to Supreme Court precedent and may only suggest that Court to reconsider prior ruling.
My judicial philosophy is to respect discretion and decisions of trial courts unless a clearly wrong decision has occurred in the law or the sufficiency of the evidence. Only where the law is not clear does the appellate court step in to interpret the intent and words of the law. Even if I do not agree with the law, I will apply it as I read and understand it unless it violates the constitution.
