2023 State of the Judiciary

April 5, 2023 Contact: Amy Starnes Director of Public Affairs 512.463.1441 or email Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht delivered the 2023 State of the Judiciary address before representatives of the judiciary, legislature, and executive branch at noon on April 5. The event was livestreamed on the Texas Judicial Branch website. The recording can be watched here. The full text of the address can be found...

Governor Abbott Appoints Harbin To State Commission On Judicial Conduct

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Cliff Harbin to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct for a term set to expire on November 19, 2023. The Commission regulates the conduct of the state judiciary, including the power to recommend for retirement, censure, suspension, or removal of a judge from office.   Cliff Harbin of Montgomery retired after 34 years with the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department. He has 38 years of professional experience in both institutional and community-based corrections, including management of domestic violence, gang offender, substance abuse treatment aftercare, sex offender, and victim assistance programs. For the past 21 years, he has served in a managerial role supervising and training professional staff at the largest community supervision and corrections department in Texas. He is president of the Association for the Jacob Shannon Evergreen Cemetery, a Texas historical landmark. Harbin received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Sam Houston State University.   This appointment is subject to Senate...

Governor Abbott Appoints Koch To Criminal District Court No. 2 – Dallas County

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Justin J. “J.J.” Koch to the Criminal District Court No. 2 in Dallas County for a term set to expire on December 31, 2024, or until his successor is duly elected and qualified. Justin J. “J.J.” Koch of Dallas is a former Dallas County Commissioner for District No. 2. While serving as Commissioner, he was appointed to the Civil Service Commission and the Behavioral Health Leadership Team. Previously, he was a prosecutor and private practice attorney, and served as Director of Legal Solutions for Thomson Reuters. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas. Additionally, he is an assistant coach for Scots Wrestling and previously volunteered for Bishop Lynch High School Wrestling and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Koch received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Duke University and a Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of...

Governor Abbott Appoints Rambin To Sixth Court Of Appeals

Jeff Rambin of Henderson is an attorney and Partner at Fairchild, Price, Haley & Smith, LLP in Nacogdoches. Previously, he served as an attorney for Capshaw DeRieux and in private practice. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas. Additionally, he is a volunteer for his church youth group and high school theater, and has previously served as a parent volunteer for Boy Scouts of America and the National High School BBQ Association Championship. Rambin received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from Texas A&M University and a Juris Doctor degree from Baylor University School of Law. Term set to expire December 31,...

Governor Abbott Appoints Field To 480th District Court

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Scott K. Field to the 480th Judicial District Court in Williamson County, effective October 1, 2022, for a term set to expire on December 31, 2024, or until his successor is duly elected and qualified. Scott K. Field of Liberty Hill is a Partner at Butler Snow, LLP. Previously, he served as a Justice of the Third Court of Appeals, a Managing Partner of the Field Law Firm, PLLC and York, Keller & Field, LLP, an Attorney at Baker Botts LLP, and a Law Clerk at the Supreme Court of Texas. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Williamson County Bar Association, Austin Bar Association, Williamson County Inn of Court, Texas Supreme Court Historical Society, Federalist Society, and the Austin Christian Legal Society. Additionally, he is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and the Austin Bar Foundation and a Chair on the Board of Directors of the Texas Aggie Bar Association. He is a Mentor for the University of Texas School of Law Mentoring Program and a member of Austin Baptist Church. Field received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Texas A&M University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law....

Governor Abbott Appoints Caughey to Texas Judicial Council

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Jennifer Caughey to the Texas Judicial Council for a term set to expire on June 30, 2027. The council studies the court system in Texas and looks for methods to improve while also investigating and reporting on matters referred to the council relating to the court system. Jennifer Caughey of Houston is a Partner, who chairs the Appellate Department, at Jackson Walker, LLP. She previously served as a Justice on the First Court of Appeals and was previously an attorney at Baker Botts, LLP and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP. She completed appellate clerkships at the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. She is a member of the State Bars of Texas and New York and the Bar of the District of Columbia. Caughey received a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University and a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law...

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