Interlex Group News

Retiring Chief Justice Arnot Returns To Private Practice; Joins Winstead's Litigation And Appellate Practices In Houston

HOUSTON, TEXAS, July 27, 2005 - W. Mike Baggett, Chairman & CEO of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C., announced today that Chief Justice William G. (Bud) Arnot, who is retiring after nearly 20 years on the 11th Court of Appeals of Texas, will join Winstead's Houston office as a Shareholder in the Firm's Litigation Section, adding substantial depth to Winstead's Appellate Practice.

In joining Winstead, Chief Justice Arnot leaves a substantial judicial legacy. He served nearly 20 years on the Court of Appeals, the last 11 as Chief Justice. Additionally, he has been a prominent leader among appellate court chief justices, both in Texas and nationally. He has served as chair of the Texas Judicial Conduct Commission, president of the national Council of Chief Judges for the Appellate Judges Conference of the American Bar Association, and chair of the Texas Council of Chief Justices. Most recently he served on the executive board of the Appellate Judges Conference of the Judicial Division of the ABA and continues to serve on the board of directors of the Appellate Judges Education Institute affiliated with the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University. Before taking the bench, Chief Justice Arnot practiced law in Abilene.

"We are delighted to welcome Chief Justice Arnot to Winstead. His outstanding reputation and his extensive knowledge of the Texas judicial system will serve as a tremendous resource to the Winstead appellate team," Baggett said. "His exemplary work in the area of appellate judicial education, as chair of the Texas Judicial Conduct Commission for nine years, and his unparalleled judicial expertise will greatly benefit our clients."

According to Retired Texas Supreme Court Justice Craig T. Enoch, Chair of Winstead's Appellate Practice, "Chief Justice Arnot's judicial experience - presiding over more than 5,000 civil and criminal cases - as well as his strong relationships with the national Council of Chief Judges, the American Bar Association and the board of the State Bar of Texas Appellate Section, provide a depth of leadership and experience that will greatly assist Winstead in providing quality service to our clients. We welcome him to our team."

Chief Justice Arnot began his judicial service on the 11th Court of Appeals of Texas in 1986. When appointed by Gov. Mark White to fill the unexpired term of retiring Justice Raleigh Brown, he was the youngest appellate judge in Texas. In 1988, he ran for the remainder of Justice Brown's unexpired term and won a contested race in the Democratic primary. In 1990, he ran unopposed for his first full six-year term. Upon the retirement of Chief Justice Austin McCloud in 1994, he won a contested primary and general election and became chief justice on Jan. 1, 1995.

"While I leave the judiciary with fond memories and having had a wonderful experience, it is with a great deal of excitement that I join the Winstead team. The Firm has an outstanding roster of shareholders and associates and is very highly regarded among the legal community in Texas," Chief Justice Arnot said. "I truly look forward to being a part of a successful and growing company. I was honored to serve nearly 20 years on the bench and I'm hopeful that my experience will help Winstead grow and become even more successful."

"As Winstead continues to strategically expand its presence and solidify its reputation, we strive to add members who embrace the same set of core values as the Firm, and who complement our existing team of attorneys. Chief Justice Arnot does just that," Baggett said.

Chief Justice Arnot recently completed nine years on the Judicial Conduct Commission and is a past president of the national Council of Chief Judges. He is only the third Texan to serve in that position over the organization's 25-year history. He most recently served on the executive board of the Appellate Judges Conference of the Judicial Division of the American Bar Association, and currently serves on the executive board of the Appellate Judges Education Institute affiliated with the Dedman School of Law at SMU. He also serves on the board of the State Bar of Texas Appellate Section; the executive board of the Spencer Grimes Appellate Judges Education Series; and as the ABA liaison to the University of Virginia Law School.

He also has served as a member of the executive board for the Texas Center for the Judiciary, as presiding judge for the Texas Appellate Judge's Council, president of the Council of Chief Judges for the Appellate Judges Conference of the ABA, and as chair of the Council of Chief Judges for the State of Texas. He was a gubernatorial appointee to the Texas Judicial Council.

In addition, Chief Justice Arnot has participated in judicial courses at Harvard Law School, Duke Law School, the University of Virginia, and the University of Colorado, and also taught as an adjunct professor at Texas Tech Law School and the National Judicial College at the University of Nevada.
Chief Justice Arnot did his undergraduate work at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., and at the University of Texas at Austin. He completed his law degree at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and obtained a master's degree in judicial process from the University of Virginia Law School in Charlottesville.