Supreme Court
December 20, 2024
Contact: Amy Starnes
Director of Public Affairs
512.463.1441 or email
AUSTIN — Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht, the 27th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, will retire from the Court on December 31, 2024, concluding his distinguished and record-breaking career on the state’s highest civil court.
Chief Justice Hecht is the longest-serving member of the Court in Texas history and the longest-tenured Texas judge in active service. He was first elected to the Court in 1988 and subsequently re-elected in 1994, 2000, 2006, and 2012. In 2013, he was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Rick Perry and was re-elected to this position in 2014 and 2020.
Throughout his tenure, Chief Justice Hecht has been a steadfast advocate for judicial efficiency, transparency, and accessibility. He was instrumental in promoting access to justice initiatives, working to ensure that legal services are available to all Texans regardless of economic status. The Chief Justice often reminded attorneys, jurists, legislators, and others that “Justice for only those who can afford it is neither justice for all nor justice at all.”
Under his leadership, the Court embraced technology to improve the judicial process, including the implementation of electronic filing systems and virtual hearings, which streamlined court operations and increased public access.
Chief Justice Hecht presided over the Court’s oral arguments for his final time on December 5, 2024. Seventeen former justices and chief justices attended the session, honoring his service and contributions to the judiciary with a standing ovation. The Court gifted the Chief Justice with bound volumes containing all of his signed opinions, including dissents and concurrences. In total, the seven bound volumes contain 730 signed opinions and is expected to exceed 7,000 pages when complete.
Reflecting on his career, Chief Justice Hecht stated, “Serving the people of Texas as Chief Justice has been the honor of a lifetime. I am proud of the advancements we've made in ensuring justice is accessible and efficient, and I am confident that the Court will continue to uphold these principles in the years to come.”
Chief Justice Hecht has not formally announced his post-retirement plans but he expects to continue his advocacy for access to justice and initiatives that promote fairness and equity in the legal system.
To learn more about the Chief Justice’s career and legacy, listen to the State Bar of Texas and Texas Appellate Law podcasts linked below:
Texas Appellate Law Podcast: Looking Back and Looking Forward | Chief Justice Nathan Hecht