Former chief justice joins Texas appellate firm

After serving more than 10 years on Texas’ highest court, former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson is now taking his appellate experience into the private sector by joining a boutique law firm.

Jefferson announced Oct. 2 that he has joined Alexander Dubose & Townsend LLP, an internationally recognized appellate boutique firm with offices in Austin, Dallas and Houston, as a partner. The firm has been renamed Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend LLP.

Jefferson’s staff attorney while chief justice, Rachel Ekery, also joined the firm as a partner. According to a press release, Jefferson and Ekery will begin at the firm’s Austin office on Nov. 18.

"It is a great privilege to welcome Wallace Jefferson and Rachel Ekery to our firm," Douglas W. Alexander, a founding partner at ADJT, said. "Chief Jefferson was an excellent appellate advocate before taking the bench, and he distinguished himself as one of the most outstanding jurists in the country during his long career with the Supreme Court of Texas. Ms. Ekery is a superb complement to Chief Jefferson, and we are fortunate to have them both as part of our team."

Jefferson made history by becoming the first African American on the Texas Supreme Court when he was appointed to the court in 2001 by Gov. Rick Perry. He was elected to the bench in 2002, and named chief justice by the governor in 2004, again a first in Texas. In 2006, he was elected chief justice and re-elected to a full term in 2008.

"I greatly admire all of the partners at Alexander Dubose & Townsend," Jefferson said. "We've known each other for years, and I feel confident that, working as a team, we can continue to build upon the firm's excellent practice and stellar reputation."

Before joining the Supreme Court, Jefferson gained experience with the San Antonio-based specialty appellate firm Crofts Callaway & Jefferson.

While at Crofts, he argued two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and won them both.  He is a member of the American Law Institute and is board certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

A graduate of the James Madison College at Michigan State University and the University of Texas School of Law, Jefferson is the namesake for the Wallace B. Jefferson Middle School in San Antonio. He has just been honored with the 2013 Texas Exes Distinguished Alumnus Award.

According to a press release, Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend will now have 12 Texas board-certified appellate law attorneys – more than any other firm in Texas.