Justice Jeff Brown
Sept. 27, 2013 – Gov. Rick Perry Thursday appointed University of Houston Law Center alumnus Jeff Brown ’95 to the Texas Supreme Court. Brown, who has served as a justice on the 14th Court of Appeals since 2007, will serve on the high court until the next general election
“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve on Texas' highest court,” Brown said in a statement following his appointment. “I know I am joining a court whose distinguished members share my belief that judges should be scholarly and impartial, that they should follow the law, and that they should wield the powers they employ with humility, restraint, and a deep respect for constitutional principles.
“Judges should first and foremost be devoted to the rule of law, duty-bound to follow the law and not legislate from the bench.” he continued. “That’s the kind of justice I try to be every day, and that’s the kind of justice I’ll be on the Supreme Court.”
In announcing the appointment, Perry said: "Jeff is an outstanding and accomplished jurist whose highest priority on the bench is preservation of the rule of law. Jeff is a staunch defender of the constitutional freedoms our state and our nation are founded upon and he will uphold these values with honor, dignity and integrity as a Supreme Court justice. I am pleased he will continue his lifelong commitment to public service and the people of Texas by accepting this appointment."
Brown is an active supporter of the Law Center where he has taught as an adjunct professor and currently serves as vice-president of the UH Law Alumni Association Board.
“Governor Perry could not have made a better choice,” said interim Dean Richard M. Alderman. “Judge Brown is an excellent judge and a truly fine person. The people of Texas are fortunate to have such an outstanding jurist and public servant.” Professor and former Dean Raymond T. Nimmer called Brown “a good friend, and a truly excellent judge.”
“Jeff is a solid judge,” said former Texas Chief Justice Tom Phillips, now a partner at Baker Botts LLP where Brown worked as an associate prior to serving as a state district judge in Harris County. “He is a clear, lucid writer and his opinions are easy to follow. He explains what the problem is, what the answer is and how he got there.”
Brown fills the vacancy that occurred when Nathan Hecht was appointed chief justice in the wake of Wallace Jefferson’s retirement.
