--- title: "Laura Carter Higley | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/laura-carter-higley-8337" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Laura Carter Higley 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 - Laura Carter Higley held the role of Justice of the First District Court of Appeals of Texas from 2002 until her death in 2024 - Born November 27, 1946 in Port Arthur, Texas, she was the only child of Dr. L.C. Carter and Laura Lee Hampshire (Phillips) Carter, the first female county judge in Texas ### Education - University of Houston School of Law in — J.D. (1989) - She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1965, obtained a B.A. in Latin American Studies from Vanderbilt University in 1969, and a M.A. from the University of Texas–Austin in 1971. ### Additional information - She was elected in November 2002 for an open seat, unopposed in both primary and general elections, and re‐elected in 2008 and 2014. - In 2008, she received a Judge of the Year Award from P.O.L.I.C.E., Inc., recognizing courtroom excellence. - Fluent in Spanish and a Latin American scholar, she authored the 1973 textbook The Texan: Man of Many Faces, still in circulation. - Over her tenure, she authored 281 published opinions, including 4 dissents and 2 concurrences, with her most‐cited case being In the Interest of J.M.T. (178 citations). - In summary: Judge Laura Carter Higley was a distinguished jurist, community leader, and educator whose career spanned over two decades on the Texas Court of Appeals, and whose life reflected a deep commitment to family, service, and the law. ## 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/8337/laura-carter-higley/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8337/laura-carter-higley/) - [Court of Appeals of Texas current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8337/laura-carter-higley/) - [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/8337/laura-carter-higley/) - [Laura Higley - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Laura_Higley) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/laura-carter-higley-8337", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/laura-carter-higley-8337", "name": "Laura Carter Higley | KnowJudges", "description": "Laura Carter Higley, Court of Appeals of Texas. 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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.