Jeff graduated from Vanderbilt Law School and began his legal career with the law firm of Strasburger & Price. He developed a practice handling civil litigation for a wide range of private clients and quickly gained a reputation as someone willing to step in when the going gets tough. The partners of the firm recognized Jeff’s hard work, naming him “Litigation Associate of the Year” in a firm with over 100 associates, and then later making him one of the youngest lawyers ever to be named a partner in the firm.

In 2003, then-Attorney General Greg Abbott convinced Jeff to leave private practice to serve the State of Texas. Jeff was named Deputy First Assistant Attorney General, serving as lead attorney in many of the state’s highest-profile cases. From 2009-2010, Jeff presided as State District Judge for Travis County, during which time he developed a reputation as hard working, qualified, and fair. Gov. Rick Perry appointed Jeff to the Third Court of Appeals in 2010, and he was elected to the court in 2012. In 2014, Jeff was elected Chief Justice and continues to serve in that position.

Jeff takes particular pride in his past roles involving Consumer Protection, Public Health, Natural Resources, Antitrust, and Civil Medicaid Fraud. Jeff’s tenure saw these divisions attract many talented lawyers to government service and recover nearly $220 Million for the state and its citizens, as well as helping Texans with important issues including the protection of children on the internet, the safeguarding of Texans in the face of the home mortgage crisis, the protection of the elderly, the prevention of fraud in the healthcare and charitable arenas, and the fight against identity theft.

Jeff has been extremely active in the community throughout his years in Austin, with involvement, leadership posts, and even a founding role in a number of Austin charitable organizations. Jeff helped found The Rise School of Austin, a non-profit preschool for children with Down Syndrome and other developmental disabilities. Jeff balances his professional and civic activities with his first priority—his family. Jeff’s wife, Kim, and his three children keep an active schedule of sports and other activities. Jeff is an active Dad and has served as a Scout leader, as well as numerous assistant coaching roles for his kids’ baseball, basketball, football, and soccer teams. Jeff’s record of community involvement adds to the integrity, experience, balance, and good judgment he brings to the bench.