“I returned to the bench because I believe in the work Texas courts do. Fairness, clarity, and fidelity to the law. That’s what Texans deserve, and that’s what I’m here to deliver.”
Keep Chief Justice Scott Brister on the Fifteenth Court of Appeals
“I returned to the bench because I believe in the work Texas courts do. Fairness, clarity, and fidelity to the law. That’s what Texans deserve, and that’s what I’m here to deliver.”
— Chief Justice Scott Brister
Keep Chief Justice Scott Brister on the Fifteenth Court of Appeals
About Chief Justice Scott Brister
Chief Justice Scott Brister serves as the inaugural Chief Justice of the newly created Fifteenth Court of Appeals. Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott, he began his term on September 1, 2024, bringing unmatched experience and leadership to this important new court.
A native of Waco, Chief Justice Brister has served at nearly every level of the Texas judiciary, including six years on the Texas Supreme Court, three years as Justice and Chief Justice of Houston’s First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals, and eleven years as Presiding Judge of the 234th District Court in Harris County. In total, he has presided over more than 670 trials to verdict and authored more than 600 appellate opinions—122 of them for the Texas Supreme Court.
In private practice, he led appellate litigation as a partner at a large firm and co-chaired the firm’s Issues and Appeals group. He also chaired the Texas Commission on Public School Finance, helping craft landmark education policy that was later adopted by the Legislature.
Chief Justice Brister earned his undergraduate degree summa cum laude from Duke University and his law degree with honors from Harvard Law School. He is board-certified in civil appellate law, civil trial law, and personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
He and his wife, Julie, have been married for 37 years, and lived in the Austin for 20 years. They have four daughters, all of whom have completed college and graduate school.
A Steady Hand for a New Court with Statewide Impact
A Record of Leadership and Service
Few Texans have shaped the state’s legal landscape like Chief Justice Scott Brister.
He has led at every level: from presiding over high-stakes jury trials in Harris County to shaping constitutional law on the Texas Supreme Court. His published opinions—on issues ranging from governmental immunity to business disputes—are regularly cited and respected across the legal community.
After stepping away from the bench in 2009 to support his daughters’ education, he returned in 2024 with a clear purpose: to help launch a new statewide court that ensures consistent and principled rulings in cases involving state government and business law.
His service has always been marked by thorough legal reasoning, clarity in writing, and a deep respect for the judicial role. Whether in courtrooms, commission rooms, or classrooms, Chief Justice Brister has spent his career strengthening Texas law and serving the people who rely on it.
From Supreme Court Justice to Chief of the Fifteenth. Experience that Matters
My Judicial Philosophy
As Chief Justice, I believe every case deserves careful attention, and every party deserves an impartial judge who applies the law, not personal beliefs or political preferences.
I’ve served as a trial judge, an appellate justice, a Supreme Court justice, and now as Chief Justice of a statewide court. Across all those roles, my approach has been the same: follow the law as written, respect the Constitution, and issue clear, reasoned decisions that stand the test of time.
Judges are not lawmakers. Our job is to apply the law faithfully and efficiently, so that Texans can count on their courts to deliver justice with integrity.
About the Fifteenth Court of Appeals
What it is. Why it matters. And how it serves Texans statewide.
Created by the Texas Legislature in 2023, the Fifteenth Court of Appeals is a first-of-its-kind statewide appellate court based in Austin. Unlike the state’s regional appellate courts, this court handles:
- Appeals involving state agencies and officials
- Constitutional and statutory challenges to Texas laws
- Appeals from the newly established Texas Business Courts
- Cases with exceptional statewide legal significance
Because of its jurisdiction, the court plays a vital role in ensuring consistent interpretation of state laws and fair resolution of cases involving government action.
Chief Justice Scott Brister brings the experience, judgment, and leadership required to guide this new court from day one. His decades on the bench and deep understanding of Texas law ensure the Fifteenth Court is built on a foundation of legal excellence and public trust.
Constitutional Clarity. Proven Judgment. Trusted Leadership.
Contact
Donate
To donate by check, please make contributions payable to the Justice Scott Brister Campaign.
Checks may be mailed to:
1005 Congress Avenue,
Suite 400, Austin, TX 78701
Political advertisement paid for by Justice Scott Brister Campaign, in compliance with the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.
