Governor Abbott Appoints James Sullivan to Texas Supreme Court, Elevates Jimmy Blacklock to Chief Justice

Jan 6, 2025, 10:44 PM

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed James Sullivan, his general counsel since 2021, to the Texas Supreme Court and elevated Justice Jimmy Blacklock to the position of chief justice. This move comes following the retirement of Chief Justice Nathan Hecht at the end of December. Blacklock, a Yale Law School graduate and conservative ally of Abbott, replaces Hecht while beginning his second term. Sullivan, a Harvard Law School graduate, fills the vacancy left by Blacklock's promotion. Both appointees have close ties to Abbott, with Blacklock having served as his general counsel until 2018 and Sullivan currently holding that role. Abbott has now appointed six of the nine justices on the court.