Justice Priscilla Owen, nominee to serve on the 5th Circuit, is an
accomplished jurist of exceptional integrity, character, and intellect.
The superb credentials she has earned through her extensive experience
as judge and private practitioner make her an extraordinarily
well-qualified nominee. Her nomination has been before the Senate
since May 9, 2001. She deserves a hearing from the Judiciary Committee
and a prompt confirmation.
Justice Owens integrity and accomplishments have earned her the respect of her colleagues and the people of Texas.
Justice Owen has served with distinction as a Justice on the
Texas Supreme Court since first being elected in 1994.
Her reelection bid in 2000 marked the first time a candidate
has sought election to a full term on the Texas Supreme Court
and failed to draw an opponent from either major political
party in the primary race or the general election.
Every major newspaper in Texas endorsed her reelection bid in
November of 2000, and she was reelected by an overwhelming
majority.
Tom Phillips, Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court has
characterized Justice Owens work as fair and diligent. V
Houston Chronicle, May 10, 2001
The American Bar Association has unanimously rated Justice Owen
well qualified, its highest possible rating. This ABA rating
has been called the Gold Standard by Democrats on the Judiciary
Committee.
Justice Owen has superb professional and academic credentials.
Justice Owen practiced commercial litigation in Texas for 17
years before becoming a judge and was a partner at the national
law firm of Andrews & Kurth.
Justice Owen graduated cum laude from Baylor University and
Baylor Law School and was a member of the Law Review at Baylor
Law School.
Justice Owen earned the highest grade on the Texas Bar Exam.
Justice Owen has demonstrated a strong commitment to her
community.
Justice Owen has served as the Texas Supreme Court Liaison to
statewide committees regarding legal services to the poor and
pro bono legal services.
She was part of a committee that successfully encouraged the
Texas Legislature to enact legislation that has resulted in
millions of dollars per year in additional funds for providers
of legal services to the poor.
She was instrumental in organizing a group known as Family Law
2000 that seeks to find ways to educate parents about the
effect the dissolution of a marriage can have on their children
and to lessen the adversarial nature of legal proceedings when
a marriage is dissolved.
Justice Owen has the strong support of her home state
Senators. Senator Hutchison has written to Senator Leahy that
Justice Owens stellar academic achievements and professional
experience are remarkable.
The people of the 5th circuit in Texas, Louisiana and
Mississippi need Justice Owen on the bench. Justice Owen has
been nominated to fill a vacancy on the Fifth Circuit that has
been declared a judicial emergency by the Judicial Conference
of the United States, one of 26 such emergencies around the
Nation.