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Jeff Brown (Texas)

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Jeff Brown
Image of Jeff Brown

Nonpartisan

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Tenure

2019 - Present

Years in position

6

Prior offices
Texas Supreme Court Place 6

Education

Bachelor's

University of Texas, 1992

Law

University of Houston Law Center, 1995

Personal
Birthplace
Dallas, Texas
Contact

Campaign Facebook

Jeffrey Vincent Brown is a judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. On March 11, 2019, President Donald Trump (R) nominated Brown to this court. The U.S. Senate confirmed Brown on July 31, 2019, on a 50-40 vote.[1] He received commission on September 4, 2019.[2] To see a full list of judges appointed by Donald Trump, click here.

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas is one of 94 U.S. district courts. They are the general trial courts of the United States federal courts. To learn more about the court, click here.

Brown was a Republican Place 6 judge of the Texas Supreme Court from 2013 to 2019. To learn more about the vacancy caused by his resignation, click here. Prior to his service on the Texas Supreme Court, Brown served as an appellate judge for Texas Fourteenth District Court of Appeals from 2007 to 2013 and as a district judge for Texas' 55th District Court from 2001 to 2007.[3] Click here for more information on Brown's career.

Judicial nominations, appointments, and elections

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (2019-present)

See also: Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump

On March 8, 2019, President Donald Trump (R) announced his intent to nominate Brown to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.[4] The U.S. Senate officially received the nomination on March 11, 2019, and confirmed Brown on July 31, 2019, on a 50-40 vote.[1] To read more about the federal nominations process, click here.

Nomination Tracker
Fedbadgesmall.png
Nominee Information
Name: Jeffrey Vincent Brown
Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Progress
Confirmed 142 days after nomination.
ApprovedANominated: March 11, 2019
ApprovedAABA Rating: Unanimously well qualified
Questionnaire: Questionnaire
ApprovedAHearing: April 10, 2019
QFRs: QFRs (Hover over QFRs to read more)
ApprovedAReported: May 9, 2019 
ApprovedAConfirmed: July 31, 2019
ApprovedAVote: 50-40


Confirmation vote

The U.S. Senate confirmed Brown on July 31, 2019, on a vote of 50-40.[1] Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, was the only Republican to vote against Brown's nomination. To see a full breakdown of the vote on the official U.S. Senate website, click here.

Brown confirmation vote (July 31, 2019)
Party Yea Nay No vote
Electiondot.png Democratic 0 38 7
Ends.png Republican 50 1 2
Grey.png Independent 0 1 1
Total 50 40 10
Change in Senate rules
See also:
Filibuster and reconciliation in the United States Congress
Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump
United States federal courts

Brown was confirmed to a U.S. District Court under a new precedent the Senate established in 2019.

On April 3, 2019, the U.S. Senate voted 51-48 in favor of a change to chamber precedent lowering the maximum time allowed for debate on executive nominees to posts below the Cabinet level and on nominees to district court judgeships from 30 hours after invoking cloture to two.[5]

The change was passed under a procedure, often referred to as the nuclear option, that requires 51 votes rather than 60.[6]

It was the third use of the nuclear option in Senate history. In 2013, it was used to eliminate the 60-vote threshold to confirm presidential nominees, except those to the Supreme Court. In 2017, it was used to eliminate the 60-vote threshold required to confirm Supreme Court nominees.[7] For more, see Filibuster and reconciliation in the United States Congress.


Senate Judiciary Committee hearing

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Brown's nomination on April 10, 2019.[8] Brown was reported to the full Senate on May 9, 2019, on a 12-10 committee vote.[9]

Nomination

On March 8, 2019, President Donald Trump (R) announced his intent to nominate Brown to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.[4] The U.S. Senate officially received the nomination on March 11, 2019. Brown was nominated to succeed Judge Melinda Harmon, who assumed senior status on March 31, 2018.[1]

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) said of the nomination of Brown and Brantley Starr, "I have had the privilege to work with both Jeff and Brantley and have witnessed firsthand their sharp legal minds and commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law. I look forward to the Senate confirming their nominations."[10]

The American Bar Association unanimously rated Brown well qualified for the position.[11] To read more about ABA ratings, click here.

Texas Supreme Court (2013-2019)

See also: Judges appointed by Rick Perry

Governor Rick Perry (R) appointed Brown to the Texas Supreme Court on September 26, 2013, to fill the seat of Nathan Hecht, who was elevated to chief justice.[12][13] Brown was elected to the court on November 4, 2014, and re-elected on November 6, 2018.

2018 election

See also: Texas Supreme Court elections, 2018

General election

General election for Texas Supreme Court Place 6

Incumbent Jeff Brown defeated Kathy Cheng in the general election for Texas Supreme Court Place 6 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jeff Brown
Jeff Brown (R)
 
53.7
 
4,404,602
Image of Kathy Cheng
Kathy Cheng (D)
 
46.3
 
3,796,001

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 8,200,603
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6

Kathy Cheng advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6 on March 6, 2018.

Candidate
✔
Image of Kathy Cheng
Kathy Cheng

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6

Incumbent Jeff Brown advanced from the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6 on March 6, 2018.

Candidate
✔
Image of Jeff Brown
Jeff Brown

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2014 election

See also: Texas judicial elections, 2014

Brown ran for re-election to the Texas Supreme Court.
Primary: He was successful in the Republican primary on March 4, 2014, receiving 71.9 percent of the vote. He competed against Joe Pool, Jr.
General: Brown defeated Lawrence Meyers (Democratic) and Mark Ash (Libertarian) in the general election on November 4, 2014, receiving 60.3 percent of the vote.[14][15][16] 

Texas Fourteenth District Court of Appeals (2007-2013)

See also: Judges appointed by Rick Perry

Gov. Rick Perry (R) appointed Brown to the Texas Fourteenth District Court of Appeals in 2007. Brown won election to the seat in 2008 and was re-elected in 2012. In 2013, Brown became interim chief justice of the court.[19]

2012 election

See also: Texas judicial elections, 2012

Brown ran for re-election to the 14th District Court of Appeals. He defeated judicial candidate Jim Wrotenbery in the general election on November 6, 2012, with 54.2 percent of the vote.[20][21][22]

Texas 55th District Court (2001-2007)

See also: Judges appointed by Rick Perry

Gov. Rick Perry (R) appointed Brown to the 55th District Court in Harris County in 2001. Brown was elected to the court in 2002. He was re-elected in 2006.[19]

Early life and education

Brown was born in 1970 in Dallas, Texas. He received his bachelor's degree in English from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992 and his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center in 1995. During his legal studies, Brown was an editor on the Houston Law Review.[3][4][23]

Professional career

Awards and associations

Awards

  • 2016: Rosewood Gavel Award, St. Mary's University School of Law
  • 2016: Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, National Eagle Scout Association
  • 2011: Appellate Judge of the Year, Texas Association of Civil Trial & Appellate Specialists
  • 2008: Five Outstanding Young Texans, Texas Jaycees
  • 2006: Outstanding Young Lawyer of Texas, Texas Young Lawyers Association

Associations

  • Member, American Law Institute
  • Member, The Federalist Society
  • Judicial liaison, Houston Young Lawyers Association
  • Chairman, HYLA’s Non-Profit Law Committee
  • Co-chairman, Houston Bar Association’s John J. Eikenburg Law Week Fun Run
  • Vice chairman, TYLA’s National Trial Competition

Brown has served on the boards of directors for the following:

  • The Texas Lyceum
  • The Houston Law Review
  • The Advocate (the quarterly state journal of the State Bar of Texas' Litigation Section)
  • The University of Houston Law Alumni Association
  • The Texas Supreme Court Historical Society
  • The Texas Center for the Judiciary
  • The Christian Community Service Center
  • The Texas Historical Foundation

About the court

Southern District of Texas
Fifth Circuit
Great seal of the United States.png
Judgeships
Posts: 19
Judges: 14
Vacancies: 5
Judges
Chief: Randy Crane
Active judges: Alfred Bennett, Jeff Brown, Randy Crane, Keith Ellison, Charles R. Eskridge III, Marina Garcia Marmolejo, George Hanks, John Kazen, David Morales, Rolando Olvera, Nelva Gonzales Ramos, Fernando Rodriguez Jr., Diana Saldana, Drew Barnett Tipton

Senior judges:
Micaela Alvarez, Andrew Hanen, Melinda Harmon, Ricardo Hinojosa, David Hittner, Kenneth Hoyt, Lynn Hughes, Janis Jack, Sim Lake, Gray Miller, John Rainey, Lee Rosenthal, Hilda Tagle, Ewing Werlein


The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas is one of 94 United States district courts. The court's headquarters are in Houston and has six additional offices in the district. When decisions of the court are appealed, they are appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit based in downtown New Orleans at the John Minor Wisdom Federal Courthouse.

The Southern District of Texas has original jurisdiction over cases filed within its jurisdiction. These cases can include civil and criminal matters that fall under federal law.

The Southern District of Texas consists of seven court divisions, each covering the following counties:

The court's headquarters are in Houston, with six additional offices in the district.

To read opinions published by this court, click here.

The federal nomination process

Federal judges are nominated by the president of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. There are multiple steps to the process:

  • The president nominates an individual for a judicial seat.
  • The nominee fills out a questionnaire and is reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing with the nominee, questioning them about things like their judicial philosophy, past rulings or opinions, etc.
  • As part of this process, the committee sends a blue slip to senators from the home state in which the judicial nomination was received, allowing them to express their approval or disapproval of the nominee.
  • After the hearing, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote to approve or return the nominee.
  • If approved, the nominee is voted on by the full Senate.
  • If the Committee votes to return the nominee to the president, the president has the opportunity to re-nominate the individual.
  • The Senate holds a vote on the candidate.
  • If the Senate confirms the nomination, the nominee receives a commission to serve a lifelong position as a federal judge.
  • If the Senate does not confirm the nomination, that nominee does not become a judge.


See also

External links


Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Congress.gov, "PN510 — Jeffrey Vincent Brown — The Judiciary," accessed April 10, 2019
  2. ↑ Federal Judicial Center, "Brown, Jeffrey Vincent," accessed September 6, 2019
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, "Questionnaire for judicial nominees: Jeffrey Vincent Brown," accessed April 10, 2019
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 The White House, "President Donald J. Trump Announces Judicial Nominees," March 8, 2019
  5. ↑ The Hill, "GOP triggers 'nuclear option' to speed up Trump picks," April 3, 2019
  6. ↑ Axios, "Senate GOP invokes 'nuclear option' to speed up confirmations of Trump nominees," April 3, 2019
  7. ↑ NBC News, "McConnell to use 'nuclear option' to confirm lower-level nominees," April 2, 2019
  8. ↑ U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, "Nominations," April 10, 2019
  9. ↑ U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, "Results of the Executive Business Meeting," May 9, 2019
  10. ↑ Texas Tribune, "Trump to nominate Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown to the federal bench," March 8, 2019
  11. ↑ American Bar Association, "Ratings of Article III and Article IV judicial nominees," accessed May 20, 2019
  12. ↑ Statesman.com, "Perry names Houston justice to Supreme Court," September 26, 2013
  13. ↑ Office of the Governor, "Gov. Perry Appoints Brown to Supreme Court of Texas," September 26, 2013
  14. ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "2014 March Primary Election Candidate Filings by County (A-L)"
  15. ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "2014 March Primary Election Candidate Filings by County (M-Z)"
  16. ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Republican Party Primary Election, Unofficial Results," November 4, 2014
  17. ↑ State Bar of Texas "Judicial Poll results," 2014
  18. ↑ Justice Jeff Brown for Supreme Court of Texas, "Endorsements," accessed August 21, 2014
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Texas Judicial Branch, "Justice Jeff Brown," accessed February 1, 2019
  20. ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "General Election Summary," 2012 Select "2012 General Election"
  21. ↑ Texas Republican Party, "Candidate Filing," 2012
  22. ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "General Election Results-Texas," 2012
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Fourteenth Court of Appeals, "Official biography of Justice Brown," accessed August 21, 2014

Political offices
Preceded by
- 		United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
2019-Present		 Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
- 		Texas Supreme Court Place 6
2013-2019		 Succeeded by
-


Texas courts

Federal courts:

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas

State courts:

Texas Supreme Court • Texas Court of Appeals • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals • Texas District Courts • Texas County Courts • Texas County Courts at Law • Texas Statutory Probate Courts • Texas Justice of the Peace Courts

State resources:

Courts in Texas • Texas judicial elections • Judicial selection in Texas

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