Qualifications
What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you for this position?
I have a combined 23 years of experience as a Texas Appellate Court Justice, Assistant County Attorney in Harris County, and civil litigator. Named the 2022 Appellate Justice of the Year.
Ethics
How will you ensure your rulings remain impartial and free from both political pressure and the interests of your campaign donors?
I believe strongly in the importance of an independent judiciary and in adhering to the Judicial Canon of Ethics. In my previous six years on the court, I issued rulings that were not always the outcome I wanted but were the outcome required by following the law. That is one of the most important duties of this position and I take it very seriously.
Equity
What barriers prevent Texans from accessing the court system, and what can courts do to reduce those barriers?
The biggest barrier is the high cost of attorneys. Courts can help by providing better legal resources to help self-represented litigants and encouraging attorneys to take on pro bono cases. Promoting early resolution through mediation can also help people resolve disputes before the legal fees get out of hand.
Precedent
: What factors should the Court of Appeals consider when deciding whether to change a past court ruling?
The court should look at rulings from the other thirteen appellate court districts around the state as well has any relevant federal court authority. Factors such as equity, fairness, judicial economy and public policy may also play a part in deciding to veer from previous precedent.
Philosophy
What is your judicial philosophy?
It starts with the text and the record, because that’s the judge’s job. Then, I ask myself what does this ruling actually mean for the parties in front of me, and did I give their arguments the full, reasoned consideration they deserve? Because the law should mean the same thing for everyone who comes before it, whether that’s a small business owner, a single parent, or a major corporation.
