Jaime E. Tijerina at a glance
- Current role
- Court of Appeals Justice
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Jaime E. Tijerina
Court of Appeals Justice · Texas 13th Court of Appeals
Biography
Professional career
- The Chief Justice of the Texas 13th Court of Appeals, elected in November 2024 and serving a term through 2030
- He became Chief Justice in January 2025 after winning the November 2024 general election over Gina Benavides.
- 464th District Court Judge (2019)
- 93rd District Court Judge (2018–2019)
- 92nd State District Court Judge (2013–2014), appointed by Governor Rick Perry
- A retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Tijerina served in Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2009) and Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom, 2012) as a Command Judge Advocate and Legal Advisor to the Afghan National Police
- Kenedy County Attorney (2000–2012), elected for 12 years
- In summary: Jaime E. Tijerina is a veteran judge with extensive experience in Texas district courts, municipal law, and public service, combined with distinguished military legal service, now leading the 13th Court of Appeals as Chief Justice
Education
- Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University — J.D. (1995)
- B.B.A. — University of Texas–Pan American (1991)
Additional information
- His current term runs until December 31, 2030.
- Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in August 2019 to fill a vacancy on the 13th Court of Appeals, later elected in 2020 for a full term.
- City Attorney, City of Mission (2014–2018)
- Began his civilian legal career in private practice in McAllen, Texas, in 1995.
- Graduate of McAllen High School
- He also serves on the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Alumni Advisory Board.
- He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Prosecutor’s Society, and Texas Bar Foundation (Fellow).
- He was awarded a Bronze Star for his service.
- He owns Tijerina Ranch, a cattle and hunting operation in Kenedy County, Texas.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Filing requirements
Statewide
In Texas appellate courts, attorneys must electronically file civil and criminal documents, subject to a good-cause motion; self-represented parties may e-file but are not required to do so.
Attorneys in civil cases must electronically file documents. Attorneys in criminal cases must electronically file documents except for good cause shown in a motion filed in the appellate court.Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 9.2, Electronic Filing ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 9.2, Electronic Filing
Texas 13th Court of Appeals
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 27, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 10, 2026.
Texas Judicial Branch official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 2026
View Texas Judicial Branch official judicial roster ↗Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 9.2, Electronic Filing
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 9.2, Electronic Filing ↗Texas 13th Court of Appeals official directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 11, 2026
View Texas 13th Court of Appeals official directory ↗