--- title: "Sharon McCally | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sharon-mccally-8360" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Sharon McCally 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, 2010-present - 334th District Court of Texas (Harris County) — held the role of a district judge from 2004 to 2010, managing one of the largest civil dockets in the U.S - Former Texas judge and current tax master for the Harris County Tax Court in Texas - Law Clerk to U.S. District Judge David Hittner (Southern District of Texas) - Attorney at Fisher, Gallagher, Perrin & Lewis, LLP, later co‐founding her own law firm - In summary: Sharon McCally is a seasoned Texas jurist with a career spanning trial court, appellate court, and tax court service, backed by extensive private practice and legal scholarship ### Education - South Texas College of Law in — J.D. (1990) - in English, Southern Methodist University — B.A. (1981) ### Additional information - 14th Court of Appeals of Texas (Seat 2) — Elected in 2010, served until 2016, authoring majority and dissenting opinions and participating in complex appellate cases. - Elected to the 14th Court of Appeals in 2010, defeating Norma Venso with 59.5% of the vote. - Recognized as Trial Judge of the Year by the Texas Association of Civil Trial & Appellate Specialists (2009). - Tax Master, Harris County Tax Court — Handles complex tax matters in Harris County, Texas. ## 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/8360/sharon-mccally/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8360/sharon-mccally/) - [Court of Appeals of Texas current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8360/sharon-mccally/) - [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/8360/sharon-mccally/) - [Sharon McCally - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Sharon_McCally) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sharon-mccally-8360", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sharon-mccally-8360", "name": "Sharon McCally | KnowJudges", "description": "Sharon McCally, 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.