In this episode of the State Bar of Texas Podcast, host Rocky Dhir introduces a new series of the Texas Young Lawyers Association’s Young Gunners podcast, which spotlights all nine justices of the Supreme Court of Texas. In these special episodes, then-TYLA President Hisham Masri, then-TYLA Immediate Past President Laura Pratt, and then-TYLA President-elect Alyson Martinez speak with the SCOTX bench members about their respective path to the high court, judicial philosophy, and advice for young attorneys navigating the legal profession.
The series begins with an interview with Justice Jimmy Blacklock, who was elevated to chief justice on January 6, 2025. In this episode, Blacklock discusses with Masri how the principles of fatherhood and his deep-rooted faith have influenced not only his path to the judiciary but also the way he approaches leadership, decision-making, and the responsibilities of public office.
Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock was first appointed to the Supreme Court of Texas in January 2018 by Gov. Greg Abbott. He was elected by the public following his appointment and reelected in 2024. Gov. Abbott then appointed him to serve as the court’s 28th chief justice in January 2025. Before joining the court, Blacklock served as Gov. Abbott’s general counsel and in the Office of the Texas Attorney General under then-attorney general Abbott. While at the OAG, he handled appeals and trials of constitutional cases in state and federal court involving matters such as federalism, religious liberty, and the separation of powers.
As deputy attorney general for legal counsel, he oversaw the Open Records and Opinions divisions of the OAG. Earlier in his career, Blacklock was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and he worked in private practice in Houston and Austin. He clerked for Judge Jerry Smith on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit after graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and a J.D. from Yale Law School.
Blacklock was born in Houston and now lives in Austin with his wife and three daughters.
Listen to the episode here:
The State Bar of Texas Podcast is produced in association with the Legal Talk Network.