--- title: "Evelyn V. Keyes | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/evelyn-v-keyes-8350" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Evelyn V. Keyes Court of Appeals of Texas · Judge ## Profile - Court: Court of Appeals of Texas - State: Texas - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Court of Appeals of Texas, 2002-present - Justice of the Texas First District Court of Appeals from 2002 until her retirement in 2020, and is now retired from judicial service - Interned with Judge Carolyn R. King on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit - held the role of Special Assistant Attorney General to then‐Texas Attorney General John Cornyn ### Education - Tulane University of Louisiana — B.A. - University of Houston Law Center — J.D. - in English (magna cum laude) — Sophie Newcomb College, Tulane University — B.A. ### Additional information - Retirement: Served until the end of 2020, when she retired from the bench. - Elections: Elected in November 2002 and re‐elected in 2004, 2010, and 2016. - Appointment: Named to the First Court of Appeals by Governor Rick Perry in May 2002. - Appointed to the court by Gov. - Court Role: As a First District Court of Appeals justice, she handled appellate cases, including complex litigation, contracts, and other civil matters. - Recognized for her work in appellate law, her contributions to legal scholarship, and her service in both public legal offices and academia. - American Law Institute (Elected Member) ## 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 ### oral argument purpose Scope: courtwide Use oral argument to emphasize and clarify the briefs, not merely read prepared text; assume the panel has read the briefs, be ready for questions, and stay within the record. Evidence excerpt: Oral argument should emphasize and clarify the written arguments in the briefs. Counsel should not merely read from prepared text. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument time Scope: courtwide The court sets argument time. Finish within the allotment unless the court permits continuation; the appellant must be allowed to conclude. Evidence excerpt: Counsel must complete argument in the time allotted and may continue after the expiration of the allotted time only with permission of the court. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### number of arguing counsel Scope: courtwide Generally one lawyer should argue for each side. Without leave, no more than two may argue per side, and only one may present rebuttal. Evidence excerpt: Generally, only one counsel should argue for each side. Except on leave of court, no more than two counsel on each side may argue. Only one counsel may argue in rebuttal. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument request Scope: courtwide Request oral argument on the front cover of the brief. If argument is set, all parties that filed briefs may participate even if they did not request it. Evidence excerpt: A party desiring oral argument must note that request on the front cover of the party’s brief. [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument notice Scope: courtwide The clerk's notice states whether argument is allowed, the date, allotted time, location or electronic-joining instructions, exhibit instructions, and panel members. Evidence excerpt: The clerk must send to the parties—at least 21 days before the date the case is set for argument or submission without argument—a notice telling the parties: [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8350/evelyn-v-keyes/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8350/evelyn-v-keyes/) - [Court of Appeals of Texas current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8350/evelyn-v-keyes/) - [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8350/evelyn-v-keyes/) - [Evelyn Keyes - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Evelyn_Keyes) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/evelyn-v-keyes-8350", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/evelyn-v-keyes-8350", "name": "Evelyn V. 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