--- title: "Jaime E. Tijerina | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jaime-e-tijerina-tx-13th-court-appeals" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-27" --- # Jaime E. Tijerina Texas 13th Court of Appeals · Court of Appeals Justice ## Profile - Court: Texas 13th Court of Appeals - State: Texas - Role: Court of Appeals Justice - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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 electronic filing Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.txcourts.gov/13thcoa/about-the-court/justices/chief-justice-jaime-e-tijerina/) - [Official roster](https://www.txcourts.gov/13thcoa/about-the-court/justices/chief-justice-jaime-e-tijerina/) - [Texas Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.txcourts.gov/13thcoa/about-the-court/justices/chief-justice-jaime-e-tijerina/) - [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 9.2, Electronic Filing](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jaime-e-tijerina-tx-13th-court-appeals", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jaime-e-tijerina-tx-13th-court-appeals", "name": "Jaime E. 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Tijerina", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jaime-e-tijerina-tx-13th-court-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. ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 9.2, Electronic Filing](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-e966a5411b2587c600cf3508) — 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](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.