The Democratic and Republican candidates for three seats on the Fifth District Court of Appeals in Dallas did something Thursday evening that, in 2020, could strike many voters as odd. They engaged in a cordial, thoughtful, informative discussion of their qualifications to the bench, their legal experience and their judicial philosophies. Bruce Tomaso details what was said at the forum, which was moderated by The Texas Lawbook.
Rebeca Huddle of Baker Botts Named to SCOTX
Gov. Greg Abbott has selected El Paso native Rebeca Huddle to fill the open seat on the Texas Supreme Court left by Justice Paul Green, who retired from the bench at the end of August. Huddle, a former justice on the First Court of Appeals in Houston, was most recently the partner-in-charge of Baker Botts’ Houston office.
Justice Eva Guzman Charts Trailblazing Course Through Texas Judiciary
The journey to the top for Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman has been an unusual one, filled both with obstacles and firsts. As she takes her place this fall as senior justice, Janet Elliott profiles the rise of a woman who embraces her non-traditional path as part of her belief in the law.
Analysis: Even Lawyers See Difficulty in Informed Voting for Judges
U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts said there are no “Obama” or “Bush” judges, but the Texas Constitution mandates that all judges here be elected, making Texas one of only seven states where these positions are political and partisan. There are clear and definitive differences between the Democratic and Republican judicial candidates that impact cases large and small. But if lawyers even have difficulty figuring it out, what chance does the general public have?
Fifth Circuit Again Rules for Receiver in Stanford Ponzi Case
The U.S. Fifth Circuit once again ruled against an investor in Stanford International Bank, the notorious Houston-based Ponzi scheme. The ruling likely signals an end to at least one thread of litigation in the 11 years since its $7 billion collapse. Allen Pusey explains.
Dallas COA Races Test the Strength of Incumbent Republicans
The power of incumbency, normally a potent advantage at the ballot box, may prove to be of diminished relevance in this year’s three races for seats on the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas. This article explains the dynamics and background of the three races in Dallas’ Fifth Court of Appeals.
Appellate Firm Adds Another Former SCOTX Justice, Opens San Antonio Office
One month after officially retiring from the bench, former Texas Supreme Court Justice Paul Green has joined forces with a former colleague and old friend.
Supreme Court Wades into the Muddy Shoals of Pecos River Water Dispute
A dispute between the states of Texas and New Mexico over a claim on evaporated water from the Pecos River was among the first cases heard in the new term of the U.S. Supreme Court. The Lawbook’s Tony Mauro listened in.
Texas Takes its Pecos River Water Grievance to the U.S Supreme Court
It’s a case about the cost of evaporated water. Or, if you prefer, a case about the cost of literally nothing. But in one of the earliest disputes to be heard in the term that begins next week, the Lone Star State is taking its complaint over a bill for disappearing Pecos River water to the U.S. Supreme Court. Tony Mauro reports.
2020 Houston Judicial Appellate Races: The Candidates, The Issues & Factors
The men and women of Texas’ appeals courts are called justices for a reason. They’re typically the first people to scrutinize whether justice was truly served to their citizens in the trial courts they oversee. In the first of a special series on Texas judicial races, this article introduces the candidates in Houston’s two intermediate appellate courts and lays out the issues that Houston voters may consider about these races while filling out their 2020 ballot.