---
title: "Don R. Willett | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/don-r-willett"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# Don R. Willett

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit · U.S. Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- State: National federal courts
- Role: U.S. Circuit Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-25

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2018-present
- Justice, Supreme Court of Texas, 2005-2017
- Deputy attorney general for legal counsel, State of Texas, 2003-2005
- Deputy assistant attorney general, U.S. Department of Justice, 2002-2003
- Law Clerk, Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 1992-1993
- Director of research and special projects, Office of Gov
- Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

### Education

- Duke University — LL.M. (2016)
- Duke University — J.D. (1992)
- Duke University — M.A. (1992)
- B.B.A. — Baylor University — 1988
- Duke University School of Law

### Additional information

- Special assistant to President George W. Bush, 2001-2002
- Domestic policy and special projects advisor, George W. Bush presidential campaign and transition team, 2000-2001
- George W. Bush, TX, 1996-2000
- Private practice, Austin, TX, 1993-1996
- Date of birth: 1966-01-01
- Forney High School
- Birth place: Dallas, TX

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### appellate oral argument

Scope: courtwide

In federal courts of appeals, oral argument is allowed unless a three-judge panel unanimously finds one of Rule 34's specified grounds for dispensing with it; the clerk provides the date, time, place, and time allocation.

Evidence excerpt: Oral argument must be allowed in every case unless a panel of three judges who have examined the briefs and record unanimously agrees that oral argument is unnecessary

[Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.fjc.gov/node/4025356)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/4025356)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/4025356)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8649/don-r-willett/)
- [Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8649/don-r-willett/)
- [Wikidata: Don Willett](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5293724)

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