Two more former Texas appellate justices announced their moves to private practice this week as the shakeout from the historic victories by Democrats for appellate judgeships in November continues.
Jennifer Caughey, who was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to the First Court of Appeals in Houston in 2017, has joined Jackson Walker as a partner and co-chair of the firm’s appellate practice.
Caughey was defeated by Democrat Peter M. Kelly in the November mid-term elections. She will lead JW’s appellate group with Austin partner Sean Jordan, who was nominated this year by President Donald Trump for a federal judgeship.
A Harvard Law graduate, Caughey authored more than 125 opinions while sitting on the Houston appellate court. Before her judicial appointment, she spent close to eight years in private practice at Gibson Dunn, Baker Botts and Houston litigation firm Smyser Kaplan & Veselka.
“Serving on the First Court of Appeals was an extraordinary honor, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity,” Caughey said in a statement. “I’m excited to begin the next chapter of my career and join the strong team of attorneys at Jackson Walker.”
In Dallas, commercial and real estate litigation boutique The Pettit Law Firm has added ex-Fifth Court of Appeals Justice Craig Stoddart as senior counsel. An appointee of former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Stoddart served on the Dallas appellate court from 2014 to 2018 before losing his reelection bid in November to Erin Nowell.
Stoddart authored more than 400 opinions during his time on the Fifth Court of Appeals. He received his law degree from Texas Tech and served as an appellate prosecutor for the Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney’s Office for 22 years before his judicial career.
“[Justice Stoddart] provides our trial team with a pragmatic appellate perspective as we prepare for the courtroom, and he has the experience and expertise to assist our clients on appeal,” Julie Pettit, founder of the five-lawyer The Pettit Law Firm, said in a statement. “We are honored to have such a knowledgeable and well-respected lawyer become a part of our firm.”
Caughey and Stoddart are the latest appellate justices who were ousted in the November mid-terms to enter private practice.
In February, Alexander Dubose & Jefferson signed former 14th Court of Appeals Justice Bill Boyce and Fort Worth law firm Cantey Hanger added ex-Dallas Court of Appeals Justice Jason Boatright.
Additionally, Jane Bland and Harvey Brown, who served on the First Court of Appeals with Caughey, joined Vinson & Elkins and The Lanier Law Firm, respectively, earlier this year.