LIT EDITOR’S OPINION

At LIT, we’re pretty sure Justice Paul Green had seen enough corrupt decisions lately by his court that made his decision to retire early a very easy choice. Since the last quarter of 2019, the Texas Supreme Court has done everything possible to hurt and damage their citizens in favor of banks, pension funds and attorneys. It’s all about big business in Texas and Texas residents are not a priority.

That versus Texas:

Politically Connected, this Name Dropping Local Texas Businessman is Too Big To Jail Says S.D. Tex. Judge Sim Lakehttps://t.co/1sEUzob3BX pic.twitter.com/rsC1yz5KKc

— LawsInTexas (@lawsintexasusa) July 16, 2020

Texas Supreme Court Justice Steps Down

The justice Paul Green will step down in August. Gov. Greg Abbott will choose his successor.

Originally published; July 21, 2020

Texas Supreme Court Justice Paul Green, who has served the court 15 years, will retire at the end of August.

The high court announced Tuesday that Green, who is currently the second longest-running justice on the court, would be stepping down.

“For a variety of reasons, both personally and professionally, I’m just ready to try something else. I’m 68 years old and I’ve got some thoughts on other things I’d like to do. It was just a good time,” Green said.

He said he wants to reenter the practice of law and perform mediation and arbitration work, but he may also decide to do do nonlaw related work for a foundation or charity.

The thought of something new entered Green’s mind about a year ago, but he kept pushing back his retirement. At this point, the high court has completed its term and issued all pending opinions. If Green stepped down now, then his replacement would be able to start fresh in a new term, he explained.

Green said he has made very good, close friends while he served on the high court. As justices sit around the conference table talking about interesting and exciting legal issues, and arguing passionately, they reach conclusions they think are correct under the law, he said.

“It’s a fascinating experience—something I wish a lot of people could have,” said Green. “I’m going to miss that interaction.”

He said it’s been such an honor and privilege to serve, and he is grateful to the people who helped him win election in the first place and kept him there.

“It’s been a terrific, great experience,” he said.

Green earned his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 1977 and joined his father in a litigation practice where he worked for 17 years, the statement said.

In 1994, Green was elected to the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio. He was elected to the Supreme Court in 2004.

Most recently, Green was reelected to his seat in 2016. His current term would have ended Dec. 31, 2022.

Now, Gov. Greg Abbott will get to appoint his successor to the court.

“In Paul Green’s more than 15 years’ service on the Supreme Court he has consistently provided steady, insightful and wise counsel to his colleagues and to the judiciary — and certainly to me in his role for the past seven years as senior justice,” said Chief Justice Nathan Hecht in a statement. “To say he will be missed is an understatement for someone who has given a lifetime of dedication to the profession and to public service.”

Hat tip to Justice Boyd for his correct interpretation of the statute and Justice Green for joining. Controlling the income and assets (in this case pension) of Texas firefighters and first responders because your State fund has been mismanaged is unlawful https://t.co/7UPfz1pAPx

— LawsInTexas (@lawsintexasusa) January 31, 2020

Place 5

Justice Green was elected to the Supreme Court of Texas in 2004. Before joining the Court, he served for 10 years as a Justice on the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio.

A native of San Antonio, Justice Green received his business degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1974 and his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 1977.

After law school, Justice Green, a third-generation lawyer, joined his father in a mid-sized litigation practice and remained there for 17 years until he was elected to the Court of Appeals in 1994.

During his career as a lawyer, Justice Green served as president of the San Antonio Bar Association, director of the State Bar of Texas, and as a member of the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association. He is a member of The American Law Institute and the American Judicature Society and is also a Life Fellow of the Austin, San Antonio, Texas and American Bar Foundations. Justice Green has been honored by St. Mary’s University Law School as a distinguished law graduate, and as a recipient of the Rosewood Gavel Award for achievement in the judiciary.

Justice Green was re-elected in 2016, and his current term ends on December 31, 2022.