Wallace Jefferson, chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court, will resign from the state’s highest civil court effective Oct. 1, a business law website said Monday.

The Texas Lawbook, citing an exclusive interview with Jefferson, said the chief justice blamed financial pressures — in addition to achieving most of his goals in office — for the early departure. His six-year term is set to expire at the end of 2014.

Jefferson was a highly regarded appellate court lawyer from San Antonio when he was appointed to the court by Gov. Rick Perry in 2001, and he became the first African-American to lead the court when Perry named him chief justice in 2004.

Jefferson’s successor, to be appointed by Perry, would face election for a full term in 2014.