James T. Worthen at a glance
- Current role
- Court of Appeals Justice
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
James T. Worthen
Court of Appeals Justice · Texas 12th Court of Appeals
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Biography
Professional career
- “Jim” Worthen is the Chief Justice of the Texas 12th Court of Appeals, serving since 2003 and currently seated through 2026
- 2003–present: Chief Justice of the 12th Court of Appeals
- Chief Justice, Texas Court of Appeals, 12th District (Tyler), Tyler, TX, 2021-2026
- Chief Justice, Texas Court of Appeals, 12th District (Tyler), Tyler, TX, 2015-2020
- Chief Justice, Texas Court of Appeals, 12th District (Tyler), Tyler, TX, 2009-2014
- Chief Justice, Texas Court of Appeals, 12th District (Tyler), Tyler, TX, 2005-2008
- Chief Justice, Texas Court of Appeals, 12th District (Tyler), Tyler, TX, 2003-2004
- Justice, Texas Court of Appeals, 12th District (Tyler), Tyler, TX, 1999-2002
- Partner, Bain, Files, Worthen and Jarrett, P.C., 1986-1998
Education
- University of Virginia-Main Campus — LL.M. (2004)
- MA — The University of Texas at Tyler — 1999
- BA — The University of Texas at Tyler — 1978
Additional information
- American Bar Association (since 1981)
- 2005–2006: Chairman, Council of Chief Justices
- Also the author of The Organizational and Structural Development of Intermediate Appellate Courts in Texas, 1892–2003 (South Texas Law Review, 2004).
- 1980–1998: Practiced law in Tyler, TX — first with Sammons & Parker, then Bain, Files, Worthen & Jarrett, P.C.
- Partner, Sammons and Parker, 1980-1986
- Date of birth: 1954-05-21
- James T.
- Worthen has authored numerous published opinions, including highly cited cases such as In the Interest of C.L.C. and C.R.D., Minor Children (152 citations).
- His judicial style is noted for textualist interpretation and adherence to statutory language.
- Born in Conroe, Texas, and raised in Big Sandy, Worthen is a seventh-generation Texan.
- Birth place: Conroe, TX
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 12th 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 ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗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 12th Court of Appeals official directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 11, 2026
View Texas 12th Court of Appeals official directory ↗