Young Gunner’s SCOTX Series | Episode 6: A Conversation with Justice Jane Bland

From a chatty third-grader to a justice on Texas’ highest civil court, Justice Jane Bland’s journey is as compelling as it is inspiring. Encouraged early on by her father to pursue a career in law, Justice Bland reflects on the pivotal moments that led her to the bench. In this candid conversation, she offers heartfelt advice to working lawyer moms and discusses the ongoing challenge—and fulfillment—of balancing motherhood with a demanding legal career. Tune in for a personal and powerful look at perseverance, purpose, and finding your voice.

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

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Chapters

• 1:33 What was the "when" and "why" you decided to seek you place on the SCOTX?
• 2:46 What initially drew you to the law, and did you always think this would be a path for you?
• 6:00 Looking back on your clerkship with Judge Thomas Gee, what lessons or insights did you carry forward, and in what ways did that experience influence your path as a lawyer?
• 9:08 How did Judge Gee’s collaborative and affable demeanor shape the way you collaborate with fellow justices on the court?
• 10:58 Before joining the Texas Supreme Court, what were some of the key lessons or experiences from your earlier career that have best prepared you for your role as a justice?
• 17:18 Who are the mentors that made a lasting impression on you, and how did they help shape your approach to the law and your path to the bench?
• 20:37 For young lawyer moms trying to balance it all and figure things out along the way, what words of support or wisdom would you share from your own experience?
• 28:14 What a does a typical day look like for you on the bench?
• 31:27 What was the biggest adjustment you faced in transitioning from the advocacy or counseling side of the law to the role of interpreting and deciding the law as a judge?
• 34:29 As you made that transition to the bench, were there any resources or pieces of advice from colleagues that helped you navigate the shift from advocate to judge
• 36:45 How do you approach making difficult legal decisions, especially knowing they can have a lasting impact on people’s lives and the development of the law?
• 38:55 How do you approach situations where there are strong differing opinions on a case or legal issue?
• 42:11 Is there anything you wish you had known sooner about stepping into the role of a justice?
• 43:33 What advice or words of wisdom would you offer to young attorneys who are interested in pursuing a career in the judiciary or public service?