MEMBERSHIP OF THE FIRST COURT OF APPEALS OF TEXAS
NEWS: Gov. announces replacement for Tim Taft June 15, 2009
Place 1: Chief Justice Sherry Radack (R)
Official Profile | Link to civil appeals opinions by Honorable Sherry Radack
Term ends 12/31/10 | Next election 2010
Place 2: Justice Jane Bland (R)
Official Bio | Profile and links to opinions in civil appeals by Justice Bland
6 year term ends 12/31/12 | Next election 2012
Place 3: Jim Sharp (D) (only Democratic member of this court)
Elected in 2008 General Election as a Democratic candidate | See election campaign website
No Official Bio of court website as of 7/1/09 --> All justices | Opinions by Justice Jim Sharp
6 year term ends 12/31/2014. Justice Sharp is running for a Supreme Court seat in 2010 (Place 3, being vacated by
Justice Harriet O'Neill)
History: Justice Sam Nuchia (R) - Nuchia was defeated in 2008 Republican Primary by Ed Hubbard
Justice Nuchia's 6 year term ended 12/31/08, but he continues to participate in hearing previously-assigned cases.
2008 General election involved open-seat contest:
Republican newcomer Attorney Ed Hubbard --> Info on Nuchia v. Hubbard Primary Contest
Democratic candidate: Jim Sharp --> Campaign web site
Place 4: Justice Evelyn Keyes (R)
Official Bio | Profile and links to opinions by Justice Keyes in civil appeals
6 year term ends 12/31/10 | Next election 2010
Place 5: Justice Laura Higley (R)
Official Photo and Profile | Recent opinions by Justice Higley in civil cases
6 year term ends 12/31/14
2008 General Election contest for this bench:
Republican Incumbent Laura Carter Higley prevailed in contested race over
Democratic Challenger Leslie C. Taylor --> see SBOT attorney profile
Place 6: Justice George C. Hanks, Jr. (R)
Official Biography | Profile and Links to recent Opinions by Justice Hanks, Jr. in civil appeals | 2008 Opinions
6 year term ends 12/31/12 | Next election 2012
Place 7: Justice Terry Jennings (R)
Official Biography
Unofficial Profile and Links to appellate opinions by Justice Jennings in civil cases | 2008 Opinions in Civil Cases
6 year term ends 12/31/12 | Next election 2012
Place 8: Justice Tim Taft (R) (retired)
Official Biography | Recent Opinions by Justice Taft in civil appeals
6 year term ends 12/31/12 | Next election 2012
Justice Taft retired May 2009. Governor named replacement June 15, 2009
Place 8: Justice Michael C. Massengale (appointed June 2009)
Bio on court website | Unofficial profile of Justice Michael C. Massengale with background info
Massengale's appointment is to an unexpired term. Appointee must faces the electorate at the next general
elections.
Place 9: Justice Elsa Alcala (R)
Official Profile | Links to Recent Opinions by Justice Alcala in civil cases | 2008 Civil appellate opinions
6 year term ends 12/31/12 | Next election 2012
OPINION OUTPUT OF THE FIRST COURT OF APPEALS
In Fiscal Year 2008, the Court issued 1117 opinions in civil and criminal appeals. Of these, 429
were per curiam opinions and 664 were opinions on the merits. With 15 dissents and 9
concurrences, the number of separate opinions was small. Justice Evelyn Keyes accounted for the
largest number of dissenting opinions (8), followed by Jennings (3), and Alcala (2), Hanks and Bland
(1 each). Four justices wrote no dissenting opinions. Justices Jennings and Bland wrote three
concurrences each, followed by Taft (2) and Radack with one. Seven opinions on the merits were
written by visiting justices: Sue L. Lagarde, Bea Ann Smith, and Davie Wilson
Last updated: 1/7/10
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