A Texan at Heart…
Jimmy is a sixth-generation Texan with family roots in Texas dating to the 1840s. He was born in Houston and raised in Missouri City, Texas. His loving parents instilled in him from a young age a commitment to faith, family, freedom, and hard work. After attending public school in Fort Bend County, Jimmy graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and Yale Law School. After law school, he came straight back to Texas, where he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Jerry Smith of the Fifth Circuit.
A Proven Defender of the Constitution…
Before becoming a judge, Jimmy represented the State of Texas in courts across the country, fighting for our constitutional liberties and defending Texas against federal encroachment. When Greg Abbott was our Attorney General, he asked Jimmy to handle many of the most important cases facing our State — on topics such as religious liberty, property rights, election integrity, and federalism. When Abbott became Governor, he asked Jimmy to continue fighting for Texas as the Governor’s top lawyer.
Tapped for the Supreme Court…
The very first time Governor Abbott had the chance to appoint a Justice to the Texas Supreme Court, he turned to Jimmy Blacklock. Jimmy was appointed to the Court on January 2, 2018. At that moment, he ceased to be an advocate in the courtroom and became instead a neutral arbiter of the law. His commitment as a judge is to apply the law fairly and equally to every party who comes before the Court. In November 2018, Texans elected Jimmy to a six-year term on the Court. Jimmy considers his service on the Supreme Court an honor, a privilege, and a blessing. He hopes to continue serving the People of Texas for many years to come.
A Hard-Working Justice…
Jimmy works hard to understand the law and apply it fairly and consistently to each case. He has authored over 100 opinions during his time on the Supreme Court. Jimmy knows a judge should apply the text of the law and the original meaning of the Constitution, never substituting his personal decisions for the decisions already made by the People of Texas. Jimmy believes the destiny of our great State lies in the hands of the People of Texas, not the judges of Texas. As our Texas Constitution says:
“All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit.”
These words provide the foundation for Jimmy’s approach to his work on the Texas Supreme Court.
A Man of Family and Faith…
Jimmy lives in Austin with his wife and their three daughters. He is so very proud of each one of them. The Blacklocks are active members of Tarrytown Christian Church, where Jimmy serves as a Deacon. When he speaks at public events, Jimmy often encourages Texans to remember the Preamble to our Texas Constitution:
“Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas do ordain and establish this Constitution.”
Jimmy asks you to join him in seeking God’s continued blessings on our beloved State of Texas.
