Gov. Greg Abbott named Jimmy Blacklock as the newest chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas Monday. He also appointed James P. Sullivan as a Justice in place two on the bench. Both previously served as Abbott’s general counsel.
The Supreme Court of Texas is the highest appellate court for civil matters in the state, while a separate court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, is the highest appellate court for criminal matters. The changes to the bench came after former Chief Justice Nathan Hecht retired at the age of 75, as is required by state law, after 35 years on the court.
“The Supreme Court of Texas plays a crucial role to shape the future of our great state, and Jimmy Blacklock and James Sullivan will be unwavering guardians of the Texas Constitution serving on our state’s highest judicial court,” Abbott said in a press release.
Blacklock was elevated to chief justice after six years on the court as a justice, having been first appointed by Abbott on Jan. 2, 2018 as the governor’s first Supreme Court appointment. His 2018 appointment was the result of a vacancy on the bench after a justice was appointed to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He was elected to the bench in Nov. 2018 for a six-year term.
Prior to his time on the bench, Blacklock worked as Abbott’s general counsel. He also served as deputy attorney general for legal counsel under Abbott when the governor was Texas’ attorney general. After graduating from Yale’s law school, Blacklock clerked for Judge Jerry Smith of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He received his Bachelor’s degree from UT.
When Blacklock was elevated to chief justice, the role on the bench he occupied became vacant, and Abbott appointed Sullivan to the seat. Since 2021, Sullivan has acted as Abbott’s general counsel, and he previously served as deputy general counsel.
Sullivan also served as assistant solicitor general of Texas. He clerked for Judge Thomas Griffith of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals after graduating from Harvard Law School, prior to which he received a Bachelor’s degree from Rice University.
Both Blacklock and Sullivan will need to run for reelection in 2026 in order to remain on the court.
The appointments drew praise from a number of political leaders around the state, including Attorney General Ken Paxton.
“Congratulations to Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock and to Justice James Sullivan, both brilliant and dedicated public servants,” Paxton said. “Our State will be well-served by your knowledge, wisdom, and respect for the rule of law.”
Abbott also announced Trevor Ezell as the new general counsel to the governor, filling the vacancy created when Sullivan was named as justice. Ezell was deputy general counsel under Sullivan, and previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, among others. Ezell graduated from Stanford Law School and Kenyon College.
“As (Sullivan’s) Deputy, Trevor (Ezell) provided critical advice on some of the most consequential legal issues Texas has ever faced,” Abbott said. “I thank Trevor (Ezell) for taking on this responsibility, and I look forward to continuing to work with him as we serve the great state of Texas.”
