Jim Parsons ’68
April 17, 2019 — Judge Jim Parsons, a 1968 graduate of the University of Houston Law Center and 1991 Alumnus of the Year, was recently named one of five recipients of the Texas Bar Foundation's Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award.
The accolade recognizes lawyers whose practice has spanned more than 50 years and who has dedicated their work to the highest principles of the legal profession. Parsons, who currently serves as a Senior District Judge, will be recognized at the Texas Bar Foundation's annual dinner in June.
“My years in law school were the most formative of my life," Parsons said. "The friends I made in law school have remained my friends for life. The honor of being the first University of Houston lawyer to be elected president of the state bar was a signal moment. My law school education was second to none.”
From 1990-1991, Parsons served as president of the State Bar of Texas. Faced with legislative sunset, he dedicated his year as the “Year of Inclusion.” His service was instrumental in expanding the participation of minorities and women in the bar at both the board and committee levels. Under his leadership the bar passed a referendum doubling its dues and adopting a new encompassing grievance system. Bar dues have not been raised since.
In 1996, Parsons was elected judge of the 3rd District Court, which includes Anderson, Henderson and Houston counties. He served as judge from 1996-2007 and was re-elected twice. In 2018, the Texas Supreme Court appointed Parsons Senior District Judge of the 3rd District Court. Prior to initially taking the bench he was board certified in Personal Injury, Family Law and Civil Trial. On and off the bench he has tried more than 300 jury trials.
During his many years as a trial lawyer, Parsons held one criterion for representing clients: honesty.
“If I don’t like them, I’m not going to represent them,” he said. “Because if I don’t like them, I know the jury isn’t going a like them.”
Parsons attended the Law Center when it was still known as the Bates College of Law. He recalls with fondness Dean A. A. White and Dean Newell Blakely as his role models and mentors. When asked what advice he has for current law students, Parsons said to stay true to one's self, find a mentor in the profession, and remain comfortable in your own skin.
“My years in law school were the most formative of my life," Parsons said. "The friends I made in law school have remained my friends for life. The honor of being the first University of Houston lawyer to be elected president of the state bar was a signal moment. My law school education was second to none.”
