Ahead of his retirement in December 2024, Supreme Court of Texas Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht heard the final three oral arguments of his 36-year tenure on the state’s highest bench, on December 5 in the Supreme Court of Texas courtroom.

On his final day in service, Hecht and the court heard the cases Leibman v. Waldroup, Kensington Title-Nev., LLC v. Texas Department of State Health Services, and Seward v. Santander. Former Supreme Court of Texas justices and chief justices were invited to attend the Seward v. Santander argument, as well as a surprise celebratory luncheon following adjournment.

As Hecht was attempting to adjourn the court for the last time, Senior Justice Debra Lehrmann stopped him to offer a special tribute to his tenure that brought a resounding ovation in the court room.

“We did some calculations, and this was the 2,779th argument that Justice Hecht has heard during his tenure on this court. Unfortunately for the state of Texas, it is the last,” said Lehrmann, who referred to Hecht’s tenure as “an end of an era.” “We appreciate you being here to commemorate this great man who has done so many great things for so many people for so long. Thank you, Chief Justice Hecht.”

Hecht, a 1974 graduate of SMU Dedman School of Law, is the longest serving member in the history of the Supreme Court of Texas, as well as the longest tenured Texas judge in active service. He began his judicial career with an appointment to the district court in 1981 and then to the court of appeals in 1986. In 1988, Hecht was first elected to the Supreme Court of Texas and was re-elected six times in total. He became the court’s chief justice in 2014 and was re-elected to the position in 2020.

PHOTO: Supreme Court of Texas Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht (center) receives a standing ovation from the court’s justices and attendees following his final oral arguments, on December 5 in the Supreme Court of Texas court room. Courtesy of the Supreme Court of Texas.