Young Gunners' SCOTX Series | Episode 1: A Conversation with Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock

Order in the court! 

Introducing a new series of TYLA’s Young Gunners podcast, spotlighting all nine justices of the Supreme Court of Texas! In these special episodes, TYLA President Hisham Masri, TYLA Immediate Past President Laura Pratt, and TYLA President-Elect Alyson Martinez speak with the SCOTX bench about their respective path to the high court, judicial philosophy, and advice for young attorneys navigating the legal profession. 

We kick off this series with an interview with Justice Jimmy Blacklock, who was elevated to chief justice on January 6, 2025. In this episode, Chief Justice Blacklock shares how the principles of fatherhood and his deep-rooted faith have influenced not only his path to the judiciary but also the way he approaches leadership, decision-making, and the responsibilities of public office. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of character, calling, and the intersection of personal conviction with professional duty. 

And tune in soon for our second episode where we speak with Senior Justice Debra Lehrmann, the longest-serving member on the court! 

You can access this episode and our other episodes here: https://tyla.org/resource/young-gunners-podcast/

 #tyla #younggunners #scotx #legalpodcast

Chapters

• 1:20 What first sparked your interest in law?
• 3:37 Which of your previous professional roles shaped you most as a lawyer?
• 6:14 How did your work at the Texas Attorney General's Office influence your judicial philosophy?
• 11:22 Were there any mentors along the way who played a big role in shaping your career?
• 12:59 What has the transition to serving as chief justice been like? How do you compare it to serving as an associate judge?
• 15:02 What’s been the most surprising part of your role as chief justice?
• 19:41 Reflections on balancing fatherhood while being a public servant.
• 21:40 How do you navigate making difficult decisions or forming opinions on cases, particularly when you're aware they could significantly impact millions of Texans?
• 23:35 How does your judicial philosophy influence the way you approach and decide legal cases?
• 26:29 How do you and the other justices navigate differing perspectives to reach a decision?
• 29:22 To what extent do oral arguments influence or change your perception of a case?
• 31:03 Looking back, is there anything you wish you had known earlier about serving on the Texas Supreme Court?
• 33:38 Is there a particular case that stands out to you as especially significant during your time on the Court?
• 34:49 What advice would you offer to young lawyers who are considering a career in public service or aspiring to join the judiciary?