Governor Abbott Taps Jimmy Blacklock for Texas Supreme Court
Jimmy Blacklock
Pending the confirmation of Justice Don Willett for the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Governor Greg Abbott has selected Jimmy Blacklock as the next Associate Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. Blacklock currently serves as the Governor’s General Counsel. A graduate of Rice University and the University of Texas School of Law, he previously worked for then-Attorney General Abbott in the Solicitor General’s office and as an assistant attorney general.
“We applaud Governor Abbott for making a superb choice for the Texas Supreme Court,” said Carol Sims, TCJL Executive Director. “Jimmy Blacklock has broad legal experience in state government and will bring a unique and scholarly perspective to the Court. He also understands the critical importance of judicial restraint, deference to legislative policy decisions, and a stable jurisprudence to the continuing prosperity of our state.”
Justice Willett’s confirmation could come as early as next month. The timing of Governor Abbott’s announcement, just two weeks before the December 11 filing deadline for the 2018 primary ballot, appears to head off the possibility of a contested primary or the prospect of Justice Willett’s replacement on the ballot by vote of the State Republican Executive Committee. This process may still occur if Justice Willett’s confirmation does not occur until after December 11, but it seems highly unlikely that, if called to do so, the SREC would put anyone other than the Governor’s appointee on the ballot. As the Governor’s appointee, Blacklock will run for election to a full six-year term in 2018.
Want new articles directly to your inbox?
Subscribe to our Publishing Service.
TCJL Files Amicus Brief in Lawfare Case Against Manufacturers [Standing]
by George Christian TCJL today filed an an amicus brief in a case in which an out-of-state environmental advocacy organization has intervened in a state enforcement action against chemical manufacturers permitted by the TCEQ. In re Dow Hydrocarbons and Resources LLC...
El Paso Court of Appeals Applies Mailbox Rule in Tort Claims Act’s Notice of Claim Requirement
In spite of what appears to be clear statutory language to the contrary, the El Paso Court of Appeals has applied the common-law mailbox rule to affirm a trial court order denying a university health sciences center plea to the jurisdiction in medical negligence...
SCOTX Holds That Chapter 21, Property Code, Waives Sovereign Immunity for Condemned Property Repurchase Claims [Eminent Domain]
In a decision with potentially far-reaching effects on the power of the state and local governmental entities to acquire property by eminent domain, a divided Texas Supreme Court has ruled that Chapter 21, Property Code, waives sovereign immunity for a property...