In the past, prior judicial service may have been seen as a stepping stone for a federal judgeship. For example, during President George W. Bush's administration, many district court judges were later elevated to the circuit court. Not so now. During President Trump's second term, all six circuit court nominees have lacked any prior judicial experience.

And we may be seeing a similar trend in Texas. Governor Abbott's past three appointments to the Supreme Court of Texas have not had any prior judicial service. The most recent nominee, Justice Kyle Hawkins , served as Texas Solicitor General and most recently was a partner at Lehotsky Keller Cohn. Justice James P. Sullivan, appointed in 2025, served as Governor Abbott's deputy counsel. Justice Evan Young, appointed in 2021, was a partner a

See Full Page