About Chief Justice Law:   Experience 2003 to Present            Chief Justice, Court of Appeals, Third District, Austin, Texas

Chief Justice of State of Texas appellate court of general civil and criminal jurisdiction over 24 Texas counties; Statewide jurisdiction for Administrative Law appeals from state commission’s and agency decisions. Elected in 2002 and took office January 1, 2003, carrying 58% of the vote; Term of office: six years; Duties include presiding over a six justice court, drafting and preparing written legal opinions of the court; preparing the budget for the court; appearing before the Texas Legislature to present the court’s budget and to address legislation affecting the court; management and administration over a staff of 20 attorneys and clerks; Representative of the court on numerous judicial and bar committees. Court website: http://www.3rdcoa.courts.state.tx.us/

1996-2003           
Associate District Judge, Third Administrative Judicial Region

Presided in state District Court, family law jurisdiction; served by full-time assignment in 18 Texas counties; managed a docket of 5,000 to 6,000 case dispositions per year, disposing of over 30,000 cases during term of six years.

1992-1996           
Clerk, Court of Appeals for the Third District, Austin, Texas

Clerk of the Court; management of secretaries, staff attorneys and deputy clerks; received and filed cases, controlled the court’s docket and files; along with the chief justice, prepared and presented the court’s budget to the legislature; served on the Supreme Court advisory committee on the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

1985-1992           
Practice of law, Temple, TX

Practiced civil litigation; family law; real estate and corporate law

Education

BBA, Marketing, University of Texas at Austin, 1970

Jurisdoctorate, Baylor Law School, 1973

Other:

Admitted to practice in the Federal Courts of the Western District
Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court

Memberships and positions

• National Council of Chief Judges
• Texas Council of Chief Justices
• American Bar Association
• American Judicature Society
• State Bar of Texas
• Austin Bar Association
• Other County Bar Associations
• Committee chair, Texas Center for the Judiciary
• Past President and board member, The Rock Art Foundation
• Past President and/or past board member, civic clubs and other foundations
  

Personal

Ken and his wife Carol have been married for 38 years.  They are the proud parents of two grown children, Julie and Boone, and are residents of South Austin. Carol is a retired public school teacher with 30 years of service.