On Thursday, as he had done 2,778 times previously, Chief Justice Nathan Hecht entered the grand courtroom of the Supreme Court of Texas to hear lawyers argue their appeals.
This time, however, the room was filled with 17 of his former colleagues, gathered to surprise and honor the longest-serving justice in Texas history.
Court personnel, including Clerk Blake A. Hawthorne and Public Affairs Director Amy Starnes, had sworn the former court members to secrecy and crossed their fingers that the surprise would hold. The well-wishers gathered noisily outside the chamber while the second of three scheduled cases was being heard, ignoring the admonishments of state troopers working security and posted signs to be quiet because the court was in session.
Hecht, who is retiring at the end of this month, mostly kept a poker face when he entered the courtroom filled with familiar faces but allowed himself a slight smile before announcing the court was ready to hear arguments in a premises-liability case involving an off-duty police officer working security at a home improvement store.
“It’s not at all intimidating,” said lawyer David M. Walsh IV as he began his case, dryly acknowledging the esteemed audience. Walsh, founding partner of Kershaw Anderson King, represents the off-duty officer and security company.
The former members included the two chief justices who preceded Hecht, Wallace Jefferson and Tom Phillips; U.S. District Court Judges Jeffrey V. Brown and Xavier Rodriguez; and Judges Priscilla Richman and Don Willett from the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Members of Hecht’s family from New Mexico also were in attendance.
Asked to comment about her husband’s special tribute, Richman grew emotional. “I’m going to cry. It’s a great day. Bittersweet for me. He’s a great man,” she said.
Among those in attendance was 98-year-old Ruby Kless Sondock. She was appointed to the court following the death of Justice James G. Denton and served the remaining six months of his term in 1982. She was the court’s first female justice to serve in a regular term and the first woman appointed to be a state district judge in Harris County.
Sondock said Hecht was a great chief justice as was Joe R. Greenhill, who served as chief justice for 10 years and was on the court for 25.
“It just seemed like the thing to do,” said Sondock about witnessing the historic day. “He just did so much for so many.”
As the audience was told to rise for the end of the session, Justice Debra Lehrmann, the senior justice on the court, told everybody to wait a minute. She thanked those in attendance and praised Hecht for his service, prompting sustained applause and even a few whoops.
After oral argument, the justices and court personnel presented Hecht with bound volumes of his 530 signed opinions. Seven volumes were needed.
Here are other comments gathered by The Lawbook:
Dale Wainwright, shareholder at Greenberg Traurig who served on the court from 2002-2012: “It was important for me to be here today because Chief Justice Hecht is a very good friend. I have huge respect for him in his service to the state of Texas. I wanted to see his last oral argument, as he is just legendary. I’m told he did not have a clue and was surprised to see us all here.”
David Medina, partner at Nelson Mullins and member of the court from 2004-2012: “It’s a historical day. The chief is a historical figure. He’s a friend, and I’m honored and blessed to have served with him. I wanted to let him know how much we all cared. He’s a Texas legend in every sense of the word. I think he was surprised. I think he was moved. He’s a fairly stoic man, but I think this had some impression on him. And it’s well deserved.”
Craig Enoch, member of Enoch Kever who served on the court from 1993-2003: “It’s been a trip. Nathan and I started as judges back in ‘81. We both were on the Court of Appeals in Dallas. He got elevated to the Supreme Court, and I came along later to the Supreme Court.”
Xavier Rodriguez, U.S. district judge for the Western District of Texas and Texas Supreme Court justice from 2001-2002: “Nathan Hecht when I was on the court was just a great friend. He helped me learn the tools of the trade for the short time I was here. As chief justice he’s done an amazing job for the state of Texas. So, this was important for us to send him off in an appropriate fashion.”
Harriet O’Neill, who has her own appellate and arbitration practice and served as a justice from 1999-2010: “What a day! He’s a legend. I don’t know that we will ever see somebody of his ilk. He’s done more for the judiciary in Texas than probably anybody in Texas history.”
Deborah Hankinson, who has her own mediation practice and was a justice from 1997-2002: “I’ve known the chief for a very, very long time. When I was a new lawyer in Dallas I even appeared before him in the district court. We share a passion for access to justice, and he has been an incredible leader in that area. Above and beyond his work with the caseload and administering the courts of Texas, he has done important work in that area, and it has made a difference in the lives of so many people.”
Harriet Miers, partner at Locke Lord, White House counsel to President George W. Bush and longtime friend of Hecht: “It was so important to celebrate such a stellar career and all the contributions that have been made. On the bench, of course, an incredible justice and chief justice, but also the work that the chief has done in access to justice, making sure that the poor among us have representation they badly need. He is a hero to so many, and you can tell by the huge crowd here that it will be a wonderful time to celebrate with him. A touch of sadness because we hate to see him leave the bench, but we know it is time and we wish him and Priscilla just a wonderful time together now as they are able to have a little bit more leisurely path.
“I think he will be asked to do so many things, and I think he will find what is meaningful for him and how he can continue to contribute. I don’t think he will be idle, although we all hope that he will take a little bit of time to decompress and enjoy his life.”
Don Willett, judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and Supreme Court member from 2005-2017: “Nathan is so charmingly self-deprecating, so I hope today’s turnout will cement for him how widely and deeply beloved he is. He’s an iconic Mount Rushmore figure in Texas law, and the Lone Star State owes him an unpayable debt.
Eva Guzman, partner at Wright Close & Barger and justice from 2009-2021: “Chief Justice Hecht has been one of the most transformative figures in Texas, in our justice system, and to be here to honor him is actually my privilege. Because what he has meant to Texas, I don’t think we will ever see again.”
Scott Brister, chief justice of the Fifteenth Court of Appeals and Supreme Court justice from 2003-2009: “The chief justice is an institution. The court has always played a big role in my life from the first job I had to my time on the court. I wanted to be here to pay my respects to his sacrifices and his body of work.”