--- title: "Jim R. Wright | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jim-r-wright-8394" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Jim R. Wright 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, 1995-present - Following retirement, he held the role of Senior Appellate Justice and reached 40 years of continuous judicial service in 2019 - In 2005, Governor Rick Perry named him Chief Justice of the 11th Court of Appeals, a position he held until retirement in 2017 - In 1979, at age 32, Governor Bill Clements appointed him Judge of the 91st District Court, making him the youngest district judge in Texas history at the time ### Education - Texas Tech University School of Law in, ranking third in his class — J.D. (1971) - BBA in accounting from North Texas State University in 1968. - North Texas State University — B.A. ### Additional information - Jim R. Wright (1946 – 2025) was a distinguished Texas judge, lifelong Eastland resident, and devoted church leader, remembered for his 40 years of continuous judicial service and his deep commitment to community and family. - Served in this role until 1995, when Governor George W. Bush appointed him to the 11th Court of Appeals. - In December 1979, Governor Clements appointed him to the 91st District Court in Eastland, where he served until his appointment to the Court of Appeals in 1995. - After law school, Wright practiced in Lubbock with Wagonseller and Cobb before moving to Eastland in 1973. - He held this position until 1972, when he began practicing law in Eastland, Texas. - Born December 21, 1946 in Eastland County, Texas, to James T. and Lea Wright, Jim graduated from Eastland High School in 1964 - Law firm Wagonseller and Cobb during law school. - His career earned him election to the Texas Bar Foundation, the Order of the Coif, and multiple terms on the State Bar of Texas Admissions Committee. ## 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/8394/jim-r-wright/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8394/jim-r-wright/) - [Court of Appeals of Texas current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8394/jim-r-wright/) - [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/8394/jim-r-wright/) - [Jim Wright (Texas Court of Appeals Chief Justice)](https://ballotpedia.org/Jim_Wright_(Texas_Court_of_Appeals_Chief_Justice)) - [Jim Wright](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Wright) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jim-r-wright-8394", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jim-r-wright-8394", "name": "Jim R. 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