MEMBERSHIP OF THE FOURTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS IN HOUSTON
The Fourteenth Court of Appeals, like the First Court of Appeals, has nine members (one chief and
eight associate justices). Both courts sit in Houston and hear appeals from the same county and district
courts. Cases are randomly assigned. Subsequent appeals, however, are now transferred to the court
which heard the first appeal or original mandamus petition.
FIRST AND FOURTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS COMPARED: Although the volume of opinions
is comparable between the first and fourteenth court of appeals, the 14thCoA has a higher incidence of
separate opinions (concurrences and dissents). Currently, all members of the court are Republicans.
Four of the nine justices are women, including the chief. The First Court of Appeals was all-Republican
too in 2008, but now has one Democratic member (Justice Jim Sharp) as a result of the 2008 judicial
elections. As for the Houston appeals courts' composition by gender, the Fourteenth Court of Appeals
has four women jurists as members, the First Court has a female majority (5 of 9). Both appeals courts
are headed by female chiefs: Chief Justice Sherry Radack and Chief Justice Adele Hedges.
OPINION PRODUCTION: The Fourteenth Court of Appeals issued a total of 1080 opinions in fiscal
year 2008. Of these, 470 were per curiam opinions. 527 were opinions on the merits. Individual
justices delivered a total of 22 dissenting and 25 concurring opinions, but these were not evenly
distributed. The most frequent dissenters were Richard Edelman and Kem Thompson Frost (with 5)
and Seymore (with 4). Justice Frost also wrote the most concurring opinions (11), followed by Edelman
with 4.
LINKS FOR MEMBERS OF THIS APPELLATE COURT: (click name for official biographies/profile)
Chief Justice Adele Hedges (Republican Incumbent)
Official Bio on Court web site | Recent opinions by Hon. Hedges in civil cases | 2008 Civil appellate opinions by Chief Hedges
Chief Justice of 14th Court of Appeals - term ends 12/31/14 (reelected 2008)
2008 General Election contest:
Republican Incumbent Chief Adele O. Hedges (campaign web site)
Democratic Challenger in 2008 Election: Attorney Joe Beverly (campaign web site at www.beverlyforjudge.com no longer up)
Justice Leslie Brock Yates (Republican Incumbent)
Profile | 2008 Opinions by Justice Yates
6 year term ends 12/31/10
Justice John S. Anderson (Republican Incumbent)
Profile | Recent opinions by Justice Anderson in civil appeals | 2008 Civil appellate opinions written by Justice Anderson
6 year term ends 12/31/12
Former Justice J. Harvey Hudson (R) (Retired) (effective August 30, 2007)
Opinions by Justice Hudson in civil cases
Justice Hudson was replaced by Justice Jeffrey Brown (who was appointed Dec. 2007)
Justice Jeff Brown (Republican Incumbent)
Profile | Opinions by Justice Brown
Appointed effective Dec 24, 2007 by Governor to succeed Hon. Harvey Hudson
Justice Jeff Brown (Place 6: unexpired term) (Campaign Website)
Unofficial Profile and Links to Opinions by Justice Jeff Brown |
Appeals from Hon. Jeff Brown as District Judge - 55th District Court
News Release announcing appointment
Unsuccessful Democratic opponent in 2008 election contest for this appellate bench:
Mary M. Markantonis (see Democrats)
Justice Wanda McKee Fowler (R)(Former Justice)
Profile | Opinions by Justice Fowler
6 year term ends December 31, 2012
resigned and was replaced by Justice Kent Sullivan, appointed by the Governor (unexpired term)
Justice Kent Sullivan (Republican Incumbent)
Official Profile on Court's web site (with photo) | Recent opinions by Justice Sullivan in civil appeals
Justice Sullivan, a former district court judge, was appointed to replace Justice Fowler, who resigned
Former Justice Richard Edelman (R)(Retired)
retired effective August 31, 2007
replaced by Justice William Boyce (who was appointed Dec 2007)
Opinions by former Justice Richard Edelman in civil appeals
Justice William Boyce (Republican Incumbent)
Profile | Opinions by Justice Boyce
Justice Boyce was appointed effective December 24, 2007 to succeed Justice Richard Edelman, who resigned
Profile and Recent Opinions of Justice Bill Boyce | Bill Boyce campaign website |
Announcement of appointment by Texas Governor
Unsuccessful Democratic candidate in 2008 contested race for this appellate bench:
Bert C. Moser (see Democratic slate in 2008 Judicial Races)
Justice Kem Thompson Frost (Republican Incumbent)
Place 7: 6 year term ending 12/31/08 - Up for reelection in 2008) |
Official Bio and Photo | Profile and opinions by Justice Frost | 2008 Civil case opinions by Justice Kem Frost
Incumbent Frost beat off challenge by Democratic opponent in 2008 general election:
Martin J. Siegel (D)(campaign website www.siegelforjustice.com no longer operational, but see biography on firm website)
Justice Charles Seymore (Republican Incumbent)
Profile | Recent opinions by Justice Seymore in civil appeals | 2008 civil case opinions authored by Justice Seymore
6 year term ends 12/31/12
Justice Eva M. Guzman (Republican)(former)
[No individual page for this appellate court judge on the Court's website]
Opinions by Justice Guzman in recently-decided civil appeals | 2008 Civil appellate opinions by Justice Guzman
6 year term ends 12/31/10
UPDATE: Justice Guzman was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court in Oct 2009 to replace Justice Brister,
who resigned to return to private practice
Justice Tracy Christopher (Republican Appointee)
Appointed in 2009 to replace Justice Guzman.
The Hon. Tracy Christopher previously served as a district court judge in Harris County
LAST UPDATED: 1/7/10
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