Jim R. Wright (R)

Last modified on: 10-01-2006 11:47:36


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General Information

Birthdate: 12-21-1946


Personal Information

Chief Justice Jim R. Wright resides at Lake Leon near Eastland and Ranger, Texas, with wife, Pat. They have seven children/step-children and thirteen grandchildren/step-grandchildren.

Judge Wright graduated from Eastland High School in 1964. He received his undergraduate degree, BBA with concentration in accounting, from North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. While at North Texas, he was elected into membership of national honor fraternity for accounting. He also served as a teaching assistant for beginning accounting classes while at North Texas.

Judge Wright received his degree of Juris Doctor, ranking third in his class, from Texas Tech University School of Law in December 1971. He served as teaching assistant for undergraduate business law classes while in Tech law school. Also while at Tech law school, he served as research assistant for oil and gas law professor. Judge Wright was named as "Outstanding Scholar" by Delta Theta Phi, a legal fraternity. Both during law school and after graduation, he was employed by Wagonseller and Cobb, a Lubbock law firm.

Judge Wright practiced law in Eastland, Texas, from July 1972 until December 1979, at which time Governor Clements appointed him Judge of the 91st District Court in Eastland, Texas. He served as District Court Judge continuously until March 1995, when Governor Bush appointed Judge Wright to serve as Justice of the 11th Court of Appeals. In September 2005, Governor Perry appointed Judge Wright to serve as Chief Justice, where he is still serving in that capacity.

Judge Wright served several terms on the district admissions committee for the State Bar of Texas, was elected to membership of the Texas Bar Foundation, and Order of the Coif. He received the "Golden Deeds" award from the Eastland Chamber of Commerce.