March 18, 2019 —Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey V. Brown, a 1995 graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, has been nominated by President Trump to become a U.S. district judge in the Southern District of Texas.
“I’m honored to have received the president’s nomination and I’m looking forward to continuing my judicial service in this new capacity,” Brown told the Austin American-Statesman. His appointment is subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
“The Law Center is very proud of Justice Brown’s many accomplishments,” said Dean Leonard M. Baynes. “He is representative of so many of the Law Center’s alumni. He is very smart yet humble. He is a very talented lawyer, and his extensive prior judicial experience will prove invaluable for his new role on the federal district court.
“In addition, he is an incredibly loyal alumnus who provides a great deal of service to his alma mater. For our many students, he is a wonderful role model.”
In a statement, Gov. Greg Abbott praised Brown for having a sharp legal mind and commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law. Brown, a Republican, was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court by Gov. Rick Perry in September 2013. He previously served as a justice on Houston's 14th Court of Appeals and as judge of the 55th District Court. Prior to becoming a judge, he practiced at Baker Botts LLP in Houston and earlier served as briefing attorney to Justices Jack Hightower and Greg Abbott on the Texas Supreme Court.
He is an active supporter of the Law Center, having served over the years as an adjunct professor, frequent speaker, member of the UH Law Alumni Association Board, and participant in the school’s jurist-in-residence and lecture program.
