Chief Justice to Lead Langley & Banack Appellate Practice

© 2015 The Texas Lawbook.

By Brooks Igo

(February 13) – After 21 years on the Fourth Court of Appeals in Texas, former Chief Justice Catherine Stone is joining San Antonio-based Langley & Banack, where she will lead the firm’s appellate practice. Her first official day at the firm is Monday.

Stone, who was appointed to the Fourth Court of Appeals in 1994 by the late Gov. Ann Richards, retired from the bench at the end of 2014 after serving as chief justice since 2009. After talking with “several great firms,” she said she was ultimately attracted to the collegiality and collaborative work of the lawyers at Langley & Banack.

“There was a comfort level that felt immediate,” she said. “There is a great commitment by the firm to Central and South Texas, and it is familiar with its unique culture.”

The decision to join Langley & Banack brings Stone’s career “full-circle.”

Her first job after graduating from St. Mary’s University School of Law was as a briefing attorney for the Fourth Court of Appeals. One of the briefing attorneys for the chief justice at the time was Jo Chris Lopez – who is a shareholder at Langley & Banack. Stone is also reuniting with her legal assistant from her earlier years in private practice.

Stone says her experience serving on the court provided “21 years of figuring out how it really happens.”

“The agenda for most judges is, ‘Let’s get this right,’” she said. “It’s not all politics as some lawyers might think.”

Legal experts say Stone’s tenure leading and serving on the bench was marked by efficiency, collegiality and scholarship.

“She tried to make the court operate smoothly and be as efficient as possible,” said Sam Houston, an appellate lawyer in San Antonio. “Additionally, she is a smart, fair and genuinely nice person.”

Dallas appellate law expert Chad Ruback agrees. He credited Stone with working effectively with a politically diverse court.

“The justices might disagree with one another, but they do so in a professional manner,” said Chad Ruback, a Dallas appellate law expert. “The court is often cited favorably by other appellate courts.”

Sandee Bryan Marion succeeded Stone as chief justice of the Fourth Court of Appeals and Jason Pulliam, recently appointed by former Gov. Rick Perry, begins his first term on the court. Stone said the appeals court in San Antonio is a “strong court” and she expects it will “continue on its path of excellence.”

Stone said her first task at her new job is to listen to her new colleagues and get a “lay of the land.” Her immediate goals are to grow the firm’s appellate practice in the Hill Country and South Texas to address ongoing issues related to the development of property, the “ups and downs” of the Eagle Ford Shale and potential business partnerships as a result of the reforms in Mexico.

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