--- title: "William J. Boyce | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-j-boyce-8306" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # William J. Boyce 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, 2007-present - Justice of the Fourteenth Court of Appeals of Texas in Houston for 11 years, serving from 1997 until his departure in 2018 - Appointed to the Fourteenth Court of Appeals in 1997 after a long legal career as an associate and later partner at Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. in Houston. - Law clerk to W. Eugene Davis on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (1988) - After leaving the bench, Boyce became a partner at Alexander Dubose and Jefferson LLP in Houston ### Education - cum laude, Northwestern University School of Law — J.D. (1988) - in Journalism, Northwestern University — B.A. (1985) - Northwestern State University of Louisiana — B.A. - Northwestern State University of Louisiana — J.D. ### Additional information - Best Lawyers in America (2025–2027) - Texas Super Lawyers (2003–2007, 2023–2026) - Sam Cochran Criminal Justice Award (2019) - He held the role of Place 6 on the court until his term ended on December 31, 2018, when he lost a re‐election bid to Democrat Meagan Hassan. - American Judges Association Appellate Judge of the Year (2013–2014) - United States Supreme Court Term in Review United States Supreme Court Term in Review James Madison Portrait Speaker Information William J. Boyce Judge, Fourteenth Court of Appeals of Texas Biography Judge, Fourteenth Court of Appeals of Texas Speaker Information Edward Dawson Biography Speaker Information Jerry E. Smith Jerry E. Smith Judge, United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit Biography Judge Smith was appointed U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit by President Reagan and entered on duty in January 1988. - focusing on appellate practice and serving as an arbitrator through the American Arbitration Association. - Vice‐Chair, Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health - Elected member, American Law Institute - Member, Supreme Court Advisory Committee - His judicial and advisory work has influenced Texas mental health policy, and he continues to contribute to legal education through CLE courses, publications, and speaking engagements. ## 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/8306/william-j-boyce/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8306/william-j-boyce/) - [Court of Appeals of Texas current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8306/william-j-boyce/) - [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/8306/william-j-boyce/) - [William Boyce - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Boyce) - [William J. Boyce](https://fedsoc.org/bio/william-boyce) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-j-boyce-8306", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-j-boyce-8306", "name": "William J. Boyce | KnowJudges", "description": "William J. Boyce, Court of Appeals of Texas. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-j-boyce-8306#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-j-boyce-8306#judge", "name": "William J. 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