Mandatory Board Certification for Appellate Justices?
Before last Friday's deadline, Representative Dan Gattis filed House Joint Resolution 89, which addresses qualifications of Texas appellate justices (and district judges). In addition to age and practice experience requirements, HJR 89 would require board certification in at least one practice area recognized by the State Bar. Justices sitting on November 6, 2007 (the proposed date for submitting the measure to voters for the necessary constitutional amendment) would be grandfathered in. The measure is currently pending before the House Judiciary Committee.
