Justice Dale Wainwright, Supreme Court of Texas
Justice Dale Wainwright’s integrity, legal scholarship, and balanced, conservative judicial philosophy has earned him the respect of Texans and Texas officials.
Video Biography
Justice Dale Wainwright Brings Experience, Integrity, Conservative Philosophy to the Texas Supreme Court
Republican Justice Dale Wainwright, seeking his second term on the Texas Supreme Court, is working hard for the people of Texas and receiving widespread praise.
- Justice Wainwright is serving us with remarkable judicial integrity by strictly interpreting the law on our state’s highest court.
- Justice Wainwright is a leader on the Court, a prolific and fair legal scholar.
- In all of the 2008 judicial polls, the attorneys of this state have voted Justice Wainwright best qualified to serve on the Texas Supreme Court by nearly a two to one margin.
- Of the past Presidents of the Houston Bar Association going back 20 years, 17 of the 20 are supporting Justice Wainwright. These leaders are of both parties and include the folks who know both Justice Wainwright and his opponent.
- His opponent has no judicial experience and that is not what our legal system needs, especially now.
A Respected Legal Scholar
Justice Wainwright has always adhered to the principle that it is his job as a judge to “interpret and apply the laws as written, fairly and consistently.” He is a proud Republican, and his conservative judicial philosophy is validated by his record and experience.
During the fiscal year ending August 31, 2008, Justice Wainwright has worked hard, authoring 18 opinions, including 9 authored majorities.
Of the lawyers who are most familiar with Justice Wainwright and his opponent, an extraordinary majority have endorsed Justice Wainwright.
Increasing Efficiency of the Court
It is clearly more important to reach the correct decision than a quick decision, but we should all be proud of the hard work and efficiency of Justice Wainwright and his colleagues on the Court.
The last two fiscal years, the Texas Supreme Court issued 131 and 136 opinions respectively – the highest opinion output of any years this century. And the number of cases carried over by the Court to the next fiscal year has declined significantly.
Because the composition of the Court has not been disrupted in over two years, it is becoming even more productive as an institution. The Court’s “report card” shows the Justices have brought the docket more current and continue to work hard to deliver justice in a timely fashion.
Adding Balance and Fairness to the Court
Our current Court has been lauded by Republicans and Democrats alike, as well as Plaintiffs’ and Defense lawyers. Justice Wainwright’s integrity and balance are evident in the opinions of the Court; in the opinions he has personally authored; in the remarkably high ratings he receives from groups who rate judicial qualifications; and in his many campaign endorsements.
What Others Are Saying
“One of the outstanding stars on the Supreme Court in Texas.”
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
“We need to re-elect Justice Dale Wainwright to the Texas Supreme Court. He has a brilliant legal mind, works hard, knows the law and applies it with a balanced, conservative, judicial philosophy.”
Bill Crocker, Republican National Committeeman
Background on Justice Wainwright
In 1999, Governor George W. Bush appointed Justice Wainwright to the District Court bench in Harris County following over a decade of private practice. Two years later, Governor Rick Perry appointed Justice Wainwright to a six-month temporary commission on the Texas Supreme Court. Then in 2002, he became the first non-incumbent African American in the history of the State of Texas elected to the Texas Supreme Court.
He graduated from Howard University (summa cum laude) in 1983 and earned his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1988. He studied at the London School of Economics in Great Britain in 1981 as a Luard Scholar.
Justice Wainwright has a long history of public service. He served on the board of directors of the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program, which provides free legal services to persons who cannot afford them. And over 15 years ago, he co-founded the Aspiring Youth Program in Houston, which is now a national program that assists at-risk, inner-city youth in raising their aspirations and encouraging them to stay in school.
Justice Wainwright’s twin bedrocks are his faith and his family. He is married to Debbie and they have three sons: Jeremy, Phillip, and Joshua. They are members of Second Baptist Church.
Justice Dale Wainwright…
- Experienced
- Fair
- Hard-working
- Follows the rule of law
- Knows what he is doing on the bench