Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday he has appointed the former solicitor general of Texas to serve as the newest member of the Texas Supreme Court.
Kyle Hawkins, who most recently was a partner at Lehotsky Keller Cohn, will be filling the seat left vacant by former Justice Jeff Boyd, who left the court in September.
“Kyle Hawkins is a proven defender of both the U.S. and Texas Constitutions,” Abbott said in a news release. “Most recently, as a lawyer for President Trump’s Department of Justice, he fought for the freedom of states like Texas to administer Medicaid programs consistent with pro-life values. As Texas Solicitor General, he litigated critical cases and the highest levels of the state and federal judiciary, from challenging the federal overreach of Obamacare to defending Texas’ election integrity measures.”
“In private practice, he has handled complex civil disputes at the heart of our thriving economy. Hawkins’ tremendous experience will be an asset to the highest court in Texas as he remains steadfast in his dedication to the rule of law and the preservation of the liberties granted by God and enshrined by our founders.”
Hawkins served as a law clerk to Judge Edith H. Jones on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals from 2010 to 2011 and was a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. from 2013 to 2014.
He began his service in the attorney general’s office as an assistant solicitor general in October 2017 and was elevated to solicitor general in September 2018, a role he held until February 2021.
Prior to joining Lehotsky Keller in April 2022, he was a partner at Gibson Dunn for a year. For three months earlier this year, from February until April, he served as counselor to the U.S. solicitor general.
Hawkins is a 2002 graduate of Harvard University and earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2009.
He did not immediately respond to a message seeking an interview.
In a press release issued by Lehotsky Keller Cohn, name partner Scott Keller praised Hawkins’ appointment as a “tremendous honor for him and a recognition of his unparalleled legal expertise.”
“We could not be more proud of him,” Keller said.
The firm noted Hawkins has argued five cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and nine in the Texas Supreme Court.
“Kyle’s record speaks for itself — his advocacy has consistently been at the highest level, earning national recognition and delivering outstanding results for clients,” partner Johnathan Cohn said in a release. “As chair of our Texas appellate practice, he set the standard for excellence. We congratulate Kyle and his family on this well-deserved appointment.”