Judge Wallace B. Jefferson: Biography & Judicial Service | KnowJudges

# Wallace B. Jefferson
Former Chief Justice (Ret.) · [Supreme Court of Texas](/kyj/court/tx/supreme-court-of-texas)
Last updated October 25, 2026

## Wallace B. Jefferson at a glance
Current roleFormer Chief Justice (Ret.)
Court[Supreme Court of Texas](/kyj/court/tx/supreme-court-of-texas)
JurisdictionTexas · State
Judicial serviceFormer

## Biography

### Professional career

- In 2024, Jefferson discussed judicial independence, court under‐funding, and access to counsel, including the need for representation for undocumented individuals.
- Became Chief Justice in September 2004 and was elected in 2006 and 2008
- Chief Justice: Appointed September 20, 2004, after Thomas R. Phillips resigned; elected in 2006 to finish the term and re‐elected in 2008 for a full six‐year term.
- Appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas on March 14, 2001; elected in 2002
- Appointed to the Texas Supreme Court: March 14, 2001, by Governor Rick Perry to replace Alberto R. Gonzales, who resigned to become White House counsel to President George W. Bush
- Returned to Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP as co-chair of its Texas Supreme Court and state appellate practice
- Led access-to-justice funding, juvenile-justice reform, statewide e-filing, and oral-argument broadcasting
- Was the first African-American Justice and Chief Justice of Texas
- held the role of Co‐Chair of Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP’s Texas Supreme Court and State Appellate Practice

### Education

- James Madison College, Michigan State University
- University of Texas School of Law — J.D.

### Additional information

- Been a Council member of the American Law Institute and, as of 2026, its 11th President.
- Resignation: Left the bench October 1, 2013, to return to private practice.
- Elected Justice: In 2002, Jefferson won a retention election, becoming one of the first two African Americans elected to the Texas Supreme Court.
- Held leadership roles in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and the Texas Commission to Expand Civil Legal Services.
- Recognized in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, and Texas Super Lawyers.
- Graduate of John Jay High School, San Antonio, Texas.
- Member of the IAALS Uncomplicated Courts Initiative Advisory Committee.

## Sources

Identity source checked September 10, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
01
### Uncomplicated Courts Initiative Advisory Committee
Identity source · HTML · Source checked September 10, 2026
[View Uncomplicated Courts Initiative Advisory Committee ↗](https://iaals.du.edu/uncomplicated-courts-initiative-advisory-committee)
02
### Wallace B. Jefferson, former Chief Justice
Identity source · HTML · Source checked September 10, 2026
[View Wallace B. Jefferson, former Chief Justice ↗](https://www.txcourts.gov/supreme/about-the-court/court-history/justices-since-1945/chief-justices/wallace-b-jefferson/)
03
### Justices, Place 4 history
Identity source · HTML · Source checked September 10, 2026
[View Justices, Place 4 history ↗](https://www.txcourts.gov/supreme/about-the-court/court-history/justices-since-1945/justices-place-4/)
04
### Supreme Court judicial election history
Identity source · HTML · Source checked September 10, 2026
[View Supreme Court judicial election history ↗](https://www.txcourts.gov/supreme/about-the-court/court-history/supreme-court-judicial-election-history/)
05
### Portrait announcement for former Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
Identity source · HTML · Source checked September 10, 2026
[View Portrait announcement for former Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson ↗](https://txcourts.gov/supreme/news/supreme-court-to-unveil-portrait-of-former-chief-justice-wallace-b-jefferson-states-first-african-american-justice-and-chief-justice/)

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