---
title: "W. Stacy Trotter | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/w-stacy-trotter-tx-11th-court-appeals"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# W. Stacy Trotter

Texas 11th Court of Appeals · Court of Appeals Justice

## Profile

- Court: Texas 11th 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/11thcoa/about-the-court/justices/justice-w-stacy-trotter/)
- [Official roster](https://www.txcourts.gov/11thcoa/about-the-court/justices/justice-w-stacy-trotter/)
- [Texas Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.txcourts.gov/11thcoa/about-the-court/justices/justice-w-stacy-trotter/)
- [Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 9.2, Electronic Filing](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Justice W. Stacy Trotter is a Republican judge serving Place 3 on the Texas Eleventh Court of Appeals, elected in 2020 and re‐elected in 2022 for a full six‐year term through 2028
- Return to Practice (2011–2020): Resumed civil trial defense and appellate work, with a strong mediation record (382 cases mediated, 93% resolved)
- District Judge (2004–2011): Appointed to the 244th District Court of Ector County, TX, in 2004; re‐elected in 2006 and 2010
- Private Practice (1984–2004): Attorney at Shafer, Davis, O’Leary & Stoker in Odessa, TX
- Current Role: Judge, 11th Court of Appeals, Eastland, TX

### Education

- Midland High School, Midland, Texas (highest honors, 1977) Texas Tech University, cum laude, B.A., 1981 Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D., 1984

### Additional information

- He was unopposed in the March 2020 Republican primary and November 2020 general election, and re‐elected on November 8, 2022 to a full term ending December 31, 2028.
- Began his service with the 11th Court of Appeals on December 3, 2020, elected to complete an unexpired term for Place 3.
- focusing on civil trial defense, appellate work, and mediation/arbitration.
- Base salary as a Texas appellate judge is $192,500.
- Justice Trotter has argued cases before the 11th Court of Appeals, 8th Court of Appeals, Texas Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit during his private practice.



## 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.