Young Gunner’s SCOTX Series | Episode 5: A Conversation with Justice Brett Busby

In our fifth episode, we talk with Justice Brett Busby, an appellate advocate, constitutional scholar, and lifelong violinist. Justice Busby shares his unique journey to the Texas Supreme Court — from clerking at the U.S. Supreme Court to practicing appellate law, serving as a justice on the Fourteenth Court of Appeals, and ultimately joining SCOTX.

Originally drawn to international policy, he interned at the United Nations before pivoting to litigation — a decision that would shape his career in profound ways. Tune in as he reflects on the experiences that informed his judicial philosophy and his path to the bench.

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

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Chapters

• 1:33 Could you walk us through your journey from law school to your current role on the SCOTX bench?
• 3:40 In what ways do you hope your children see or carry forward your legacy in law?
• 5:33 What first inspired you to pursue a career in law—and what ultimately led you to the bench?
• 8:30 How have your interests and experiences outside the law—like playing the violin, your leadership roles in TYLA, and involvement in community organizations—shaped your approach to the legal profession?
• 10:58 Who were the mentors who helped shape your path to the Texas Supreme Court, and what lessons from them have stayed with you?
• 16:11 What has surprised you the most about serving on the Texas Supreme Court?
• 20:27 How do you and your colleagues work through differing opinions to reach decisions?
• 24:39 What does a typical day look like for a justice on the Texas Supreme Court?
• 27:07 How do you navigate particularly challenging legal questions
• 29:29 Between oral arguments and conferencing with your colleagues, how often do you find that your opinion gets changed or flipped during the decision-making process?
• 31:31 How did your experience at judicial conferences on the Texas Supreme Court differ from your time as an appellate justice on the 14th Court of Appeals? Were there any key differences in how cases were discussed or decided?
• 32:52 Looking back at your time on the Texas Supreme Court, is there anything you wish you had known sooner about serving as a justice?
• 33:59 Is there a particular case you’ve worked on that stands out as particularly memorable?
• 37:55 What advice would you give to young lawyers who are interested in pursuing public service or ultimately serving in the judiciary?
• 40:08 When you first started your legal career, did you set out with the expectation that you would one day serve on the judiciary, or did that path develop over time?