Retiring Chief Justice Linda Thomas (center)
I spent a few moments talking with outgoing Chief Justice of Dallas' 5th District Court of Appeals Monday, and was fortunate to receive a friend request from 13th District Court of Appeals Justice Rose Vela, who is running for the Supreme Court of Texas in 2010. I plan on having articles on their careers that should be an interesting contrast of two impressive Judicial careers.
Chief Justice Thomas will be retiring from the Judiciary after more than 30 years on the bench. She will be transitioning to the private sector where she plans on entering the alternate dispute resolution field and will continue teaching family law at SMU's Dedman School of Law. In addition, she plans on taking a few cruises and engaging in other travel plans, including a culinary trip to the Tuscany region in Italy.
Justice Rose Vela
Justice Vela is seeking higher office after serving one term on the 13th Circuit bench and will be running for the seat being vacated by retiring Justice Scott Brister who plans on entering the private legal practice. Vela's story is interesting for many reasons. First, she is Latino and Republican, two things that are not normally associated with each other. In fact, she was the first Republican elected to her Court ever. Further, her husband's family has a 150-year history of public service! That's amazing by any measure or definition.
I look forward to introducing these amazing ladies and public servants to you as well as following their future legal careers. And I have been promised a fabulous gourmet Tuscan meal some time in the future, which you will probably hear about as well!
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